US – PepsiCo has teamed up with Pure Hydrogen Corporation Limited, a Sydney-based company in Hydrogen and Fuel Cell technology, for the trial of a hydrogen fuel cell prime mover.
Under the terms sheet, the company will supply PepsiCo with a hydrogen fuel cell 160kW 6×4 prime mover for use at one of the latter’s preferred delivery points in Brisbane from mid-2023.
In addition, Pure Hydrogen will receive US$98,400 over the trial term of six months (with a minimum amount of US$17,400) for the supply of the single HFCV Prime Mover.
Pure Hydrogen will also provide additional hydrogen supply as required, including refueling along with repair and maintenance services.
The trial is the latest in a number that Pure Hydrogen is undertaking – including its agreement for JJ Waste & Recycling to trial Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell refuse collection vehicle – as part of a broader market strategy to demonstrate the commercial use-case of affordable hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
The truck will be supplied by BLK Auto under a Master Supply Agreement covering the distribution of trucks, buses, and storage pods for the Asia Pacific and Africa for 10 years and exclusively for these trucks for a period of one year from the delivery of the trial truck.
Should PepsiCo determine that the prime mover has a commercial use case, the giant food and beverage conglomerate has the option to lease the prime mover for a monthly fee of US$10,544.40 over a potential seven-year term.
The beverage giant may also choose to keep the truck at the end of the trial, making it responsible for the truck and payments for acquiring the trucks.Net costs for Pure Hydrogen are estimated to be about $410,000 for the trial.
PepsiCo Sustainability Manager Brent Gapes said the company was excited to partner with Pure Hydrogen on a first for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry.
He stated: “This trial demonstrates our commitment to net zero emissions across our value chain by 2040 – a goal that forms an integral component of PepsiCo Positive, a sustainability framework for how we operate within planetary boundaries and inspire positive change for the planet and people,” he said.
“As one of the largest food manufacturers in Australia, we recognize we have a role to play in reducing our impact on the environment and I look forward to working with Pure Hydrogen on how we can extend the trial further.”
Managing Director of Pure Hydrogen, Scott Brown, commented that this trial will further showcase the potential of Australia’s hydrogen energy markets – particularly for the commercial trucking industry, which relies heavily on existing fossil diesel.
Pure Hydrogen is leading the way in providing use cases for hydrogen, covering many different uses including hydrogen generators, hydrogen utes, and now hydrogen trucks, Brown added.
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