Emerald Coaches Green Hydrogen Mobility Project
Emerald Coaches Green Hydrogen Mobility Project
The project proponent is planning a long-term conversion of its full fleet of over 120 vehicles from diesel fuel usage to hydrogen fuel cell electric (HFCE) vehicles, with the first of such vehicles planned to be introduced by late 2024.
| Main proponents:
Emerald Coaches |
Main end-use classification:
Hydrogen mobility |
Status:
Under development – coach and refuelling options are under evaluation. First buses are expected to be in service in the fourth quarter of 2024. |
Estimated cost:
AUD$100 million (full cost budget forecast, including entire vehicle fleet replacement by 2040 and associated hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure) |
| Other involvement:
|
Production details:
Under evaluation |
Location:
Queensland, Australia |
Announced funding:
AUD$2.7 million – Queensland Government Hydrogen Industry Development Fund (Round Two grant award) |
Project description
Emerald Coaches is a regional transport service based in Emerald and Mackay, Queensland. It operates a fleet of over 120 vehicles, supplying passenger transport services to the mining and resources sector as well as charter and school transport services.
Emerald Coaches diesel-powered fleet presently consumes over one million litres of fuel annually, producing 3,100 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Emerald Coaches is implementing an eMission zero project, under which its full fleet of vehicles would be replaced by HFCE vehicles by 2040. It is anticipated that the first two vehicles would be introduced during the fourth quarter of 2024.
The project proponent advises the first stage of the project will focus on the operation and maintenance of HFCE vehicles from its existing Emerald bus depot. Hydrogen will be provided by a third-party provider. The selection process for the vehicles and refuelling station infrastructure for the first stage is well advanced.
In April 2022, it was announced that the project was awarded AUD$2.7 million in support through a grant from Round Two of the Queensland Government’s Hydrogen Industry Development Fund (HIDF).
Options for the second stage of the project include the establishment of a new green hydrogen production facility in Emerald to serve Emerald Coaches and third-party off-takers.
Emerald Coaches’ estimates that full conversion of its vehicle fleet by 2040, including associated hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure, would cost an estimated AUD$100 million
Updated: August 2023