Superior Pak hydrogen truck drives innovation.
Australia’s first hydrogen-powered garbage truck, built at Bundaberg’s Superior Pak, has been showcased to industry representatives from around the nation at a recent truck and machinery expo in Brisbane.
Superior Pak is a leading manufacturer of world-class mobile waste collection and compaction equipment based in Bundaberg North.
Through an introduction by Bundaberg Regional Council, the company recently partnered with Hyzon Motors to develop the Hydrogen Powered Sideloader, an electric vehicle which runs entirely on hydrogen and produces zero emissions.
The heavy-duty waste collection truck has been designed to compete with the performance of a standard diesel side loader.
Superior Pak‘s National Market Support Manager Ross Burgess said the innovative project required plenty of skilled local workers.
Ross Burgess, Superior Pak‘s National Market Support Manager said:
Our engineering team worked extensively with Hyzon Motors to firstly come up with the ideal truck layout so that we could maximise the pay-load capacity of the vehicle.
“We then created a hybrid vehicle body, customising and adapting it to the hydrogen truck unit.”
Ross said the truck utilised the latest in technology and could potentially transform the industry in the future.
“Regular garbage trucks are powered by a diesel engine but, with the hydrogen truck, it utilises a hydrogen fuel cell instead,” he said.
“On board you have tanks that contain hydrogen gas which moves through to the fuel cell to create its own electricity. That then powers a patented-designed electric motor and transmission which in turn replaces the conventional gear box.”
“Unlike electric vehicles, the hydrogen truck does not need to be powered by large battery packs or recharged after every use.”
Bundaberg Regional Council supports innovative project
Mayor Jack Dempsey congratulated Superior Pak on the Hydrogen Powered Sideloader invention and said the project had put the region on the map.
Jack Dempsey, Mayor said:
By showcasing the vehicle at the Brisbane Truck and Machinery Expo, there has been plenty of interest created which has highlighted Bundaberg as a region capable of producing state-of-the-art work.
“Council has been working with both Hyzon Motors and Superior Pak for a number of years and we are very supportive of fostering great relationships between innovative businesses.”
The Hyzon waste collection truck is a first of its kind and will soon be trialled at REMONDIS Australia, one of the world’s largest recycling, service, and water companies.
Ross said Superior Pak was proud to have been part of such an innovative project within the Bundaberg Region.
“This is a whole new type of concept in a developing industry,” he said.
“It is very exciting as this type of emerging technology provides more job opportunities, diversifies careers and offers more local employment.
“Innovation is key to our company, we love moving with the times.”
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Superior Pak hydrogen truck drives innovation, June 4, 2023