PACCAR Australia is backing hydrogen combustion engines as a practical zero-emission pathway for heavy transport, with pilot projects expected before the end of the decade. Director of Product Planning at PACCAR Australia, Ross Cureton, told Fleet News Group at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show that hydrogen has often been overlooked in favour of battery-electric, but its potential is becoming clear.
Hydrogen Combustion Recognised As Zero Emission
Hydrogen combustion engines burn hydrogen in a conventional internal combustion engine, producing only trace greenhouse gas emissions. Importantly, European regulators have already recognised hydrogen combustion as a zero-emission technology.
“Between 2022 and 2024 the EU recognised hydrogen combustion as zero emission,” Mr Cureton said. “That means a hydrogen combustion vehicle can go anywhere a battery-electric vehicle can in Europe.”
For operators, this recognition removes barriers to adoption in low-emission zones and makes hydrogen combustion a credible technology on par with BEVs in regulatory terms.
Early Opportunities In Back-To-Base Fleets
While large-scale infrastructure is still years away, Ross believes Australia has clear entry points for hydrogen.
“The best way to crack this chicken-and-egg scenario with infrastructure is in back-to-base situations,” he said. “Concrete agitators, refuse trucks and even short-haul articulated vehicles could all be fuelled from a central depot.”
Local hydrogen projects, such as the Viva Energy refuelling station in Geelong, could provide early fuel supply. Tube trailers could extend hydrogen availability within a 100-kilometre radius, supporting agriculture, ports and regional freight.
Pilot Projects Before 2030
Mr Cureton expects to see viable hydrogen fleets on Australian roads within the next five years.
“In that 2028–29 timeframe I can see modest infrastructure and pilot-scale numbers of vehicles joining up,” he said.
Scaling beyond pilots will be harder, with Ross pointing to the cost of liquefaction plants – around $200 million – as a key challenge. But Australia’s advantage lies in its ability to produce green hydrogen competitively.
“Australia has the potential to generate very economic green hydrogen compared to most places in the world, so we should at least be moving,” he said.
A Portfolio Of Solutions
Hydrogen is not the only technology in PACCAR’s sights. Battery-electric trucks are already being trialled in Australia, while advanced Euro 6 diesel engines continue to push efficiency gains.
“Customers want solutions that work in their operation today,” Mr Cureton said. “That’s why we’re developing a range of technologies—diesel, hydrogen and electric—so that when the infrastructure and economics align, operators can choose what’s right for their business.”
- Honda Super-ONE Brings Lightweight EV Formula to Australia
Honda is taking a different approach to the Australian electric vehicle market with the Super-ONE, a compact battery electric hatch designed around low weight, urban driving and a relatively small battery. Priced from $36,900 driveaway, the Super-ONE will become Honda Australia’s first battery electric vehicle when deliveries begin from 1 October. A second Two-Tone grade, - Subaru Uncharted Joins Growing EV MarketSubaru has added another battery-electric SUV to its Australian line-up, with the new Uncharted now on sale from $59,990 before on-road costs. The compact electric SUV joins the Solterra and Trailseeker in Subaru Australia’s growing Sport Electric Vehicle range, with first customer deliveries underway and test drives now available through Subaru retailers. Positioned as the
- Chery Stockman Moves Closer to Australian LaunchChery is putting its first ute through a dedicated Australian testing and validation program as it prepares the Stockman for a local launch later in 2026. The company has appointed Australian automotive engineering specialist Premcar to assess the new ute in local conditions, with the program focused on validating Chery’s ride and handling tune before
- Farizon Boosts Electric Van OfferingFarizon is expanding its Australian electric commercial vehicle offering with a new super-long-wheelbase, high-roof version of the SV, giving fleet and delivery operators greater cargo capacity without moving away from a fully electric drivetrain. The new SV SLWB HR joins the existing short- and long-wheelbase models and becomes the largest van in the local SV
- Nissan Expands X-TRAIL e-POWER RangeNissan has expanded the electrified X-TRAIL range in Australia, introducing three front-wheel-drive e-POWER variants designed to reduce the entry price and improve fuel efficiency compared with the existing all-wheel-drive models. The MY26 range adds 2WD e-POWER versions of the ST-L, Ti and Ti-L, effectively doubling the number of X-TRAIL e-POWER variants available from three to
