Australia's First Hydrogen Heavy-Duty Truck Begins Commercial Operations with Coregas

Pioneering Hydrogen Trucking in Australia

On October 7, 2025, Australia officially commenced commercial hydrogen trucking operations with the deployment of the nation's first Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck. Industrial gas company Coregas has integrated the heavy-duty vehicle into its daily fleet, utilizing it to transport industrial, medical, and specialty cylinders. This milestone, celebrated at the Port Kembla H2Station in New South Wales, signifies a pivotal advancement for the Australian freight sector's transition towards sustainable transport solutions.

The partnership between Coregas and Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) moves hydrogen mobility beyond conceptual trials into practical, real-world applications. Don Romano, CEO of HMCA, stated, 'We are proud to bring the world's first fuel cell heavy-duty truck to Australian roads and to demonstrate how it can deliver both sustainability and performance for local fleets.' Alan Watkins, Executive General Manager at Coregas, echoed this sentiment, remarking, 'Coregas is proud to be the first company in Australia to integrate Hyundai's XCIENT into our operations. This partnership brings together two organisations committed to accelerating the clean energy transition and showing industry how hydrogen can play a vital role in decarbonising heavy transport.'

Advanced Technology for Zero-Emission Freight

The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck is equipped with a second-generation 190kW hydrogen system, designed to deliver performance comparable to diesel trucks while producing zero tailpipe emissions. Key specifications of the truck include:

• A 180 kW fuel cell output and a 72 kWh battery pack.
• A powerful 350 kW / 2,237 Nm motor.
• An estimated driving range of up to 400-450 km on a single hydrogen fill.
• Rapid refueling times, achievable in as little as 8 to 20 minutes.

Globally, the XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck has already proven its reliability, having clocked over 10 million kilometres in real-world operations across Europe and Asia. Its deployment in Australia represents a significant opportunity to minimize greenhouse gas emissions in a sector that heavily contributes to them.

Coregas's Role in Hydrogen Infrastructure

Coregas has been instrumental in establishing the necessary infrastructure to support hydrogen-powered heavy transport in Australia. In 2023, the company launched Australia's first dedicated hydrogen refuelling station for heavy vehicles, the Coregas H2Station, located in Port Kembla, New South Wales. This facility, which received a $500,000 NSW Government grant, is crucial for the practical operation of the XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck and aims to stimulate Australia's emerging hydrogen sector.

The Port Kembla H2Station can store up to 50 tonnes of hydrogen and dispense 30 kg per hour, ensuring efficient refueling for heavy vehicles. This existing infrastructure allows Coregas to operate the XCIENT effectively and provides valuable insights for other fleets considering decarbonization options.

A Glimpse into Australia's Hydrogen Future

The introduction of the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck by Coregas is more than just the arrival of a new vehicle; it marks a turning point for the Australian freight and logistics sector. This initiative serves as a crucial test case, with its outcomes expected to be closely monitored by other operators, industry bodies, and government agencies. The success of this commercial deployment will help build confidence in hydrogen as a viable, sustainable, and commercially viable fuel for heavy transport in Australian conditions, paving the way for broader adoption and contributing to the nation's clean energy transition.