In an Australian first, Toyota Australia is partnering with a Melbourne council for a real-world trial of environmentally friendly, zero CO2 emitting hydrogen-electric vehicles.
Three Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), the first of their kind to be driven by members of the public in Australia, will be provided to Hobson’s Bay City Council in Melbourne’s inner west for a 12-week trial.
During that period, the Mirais (Japanese for ‘future’) will be driven by council staff under a range of conditions and at different times of the day, just like any other vehicle.
The trial will help Hobson’s Bay City Council reduce its vehicle fleet emissions and reach its environmental target of zero CO2 by 2020.
The trial FCEVs will be refuelled at a mobile hydrogen refueller based at Toyota’s former manufacturing site in nearby Altona – a 13-minute drive to Hobson’s Bay City Council.
The trial with Hobson’s Bay City Council will be the first of several trials run by Toyota Australia over the next three years, with Australia’s number one car company planning to loan the Mirai FCEVs to participating companies or organizations for up to 12-weeks at a time.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Forklift Trials
Melbourne is fast on its way to becoming Australia’s hydrogen hub, with two hydrogen fuel cell (FC) forklifts being trialled at Toyota Australia’s former manufacturing site in Altona.
The Toyota Material Handling FC forklifts are the first to be used by Toyota outside of Japan.
Like the Mirai, the FC forklifts will be refueled at Toyota’s mobile refueler at Altona.
