Hydrogen mobility and clean energy company HYZON Motors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Australian industrial technology company WarpForge for the development of a ‘SuperBus’.
Under the collaboration, HYZON will incorporate its core hydrogen fuel cell technology with WarpForge’s innovative composite material capabilities to deliver a new integrated bus shell that provides significant weight savings and ensures corresponding fuel savings.
The SuperBus aims to realise longer driving ranges, reduced manufacturing costs, improved safety features and emission-free driving.
Development of the prototype SuperBus will take place at WarpForge’s facilities in Perth and is expected to start in 2021.
HYZON’s fuel cell technology enables hydrogen commercial mobility without compromising on performance or cost.
Combining world-class fuel cell technology with leading-edge composite technology positions HYZON and WarpForge to disrupt many heavy mobility applications in the coming years as heavy vehicle and equipment operators seek out the optimum approach to decarbonising these hard-to-abate activities.
Craig Knight, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HYZON Motors, said hydrogen is emerging as a crucial component of the future energy landscape, as it offers the only viable green solution for high-utilisation commercial mobility. The global heavy transport and equipment sector is fast becoming a key target for the implementation of clean energy alternatives.
We are excited to be collaborating with an innovator of WarpForge’s calibre and see this agreement as a first step in a long and fruitful partnership,” Mr Knight said.
“This collaboration with WarpForge will allow HYZON to take hydrogen mobility to the next level, as we build on our stated strategy of accelerating the energy transition by deploying commercial vehicles with zero emissions with zero compromises.”
HYZON Motors is a global supplier of hydrogen fuel cell-powered commercial vehicles, including heavy duty trucks, buses and coaches. Established as a spin-off from Singapore-headquartered Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, HYZON commercializes Horizon’s 17 years of fuel cell technology development for applications in the transportation sector.
Earlier this year, HYZON expanded existing operations by opening its new US headquarters and Engineering Centre at the former General Motors fuel cell facility in Honeoye Falls, New York. HYZON also launched its European manufacturing plant in the Dutch city of Groningen with JV partner Holthausen Clean Technology.
With production facilities in North America, Europe and Asia, HYZON expects to deliver several thousand fuel cell trucks and buses over the next three years. By the end of 2025, HYZON’s expected turn-key capacity will be more than 40,000 fuel cell vehicles annually.
Australia’s Fortescue Metals Group announced in August 2020 an agreement to purchase zero-emission buses from HYZON motors.