Toyota Australia is set to significantly expand its role in the growing hydrogen economy after signing contracts with French sustainable energy solutions provider EODev (Energy Observer Developments) to assemble and distribute its stationary hydrogen fuel cell power generators GEH2 in Australia and New Zealand.
Through this partnership, Toyota Australia will invest $3.27 million to assemble EODev’s GEH2 power generators at its former manufacturing facility at Altona in Melbourne from the first quarter of 2024.
Toyota will also become the Australian distributor for both locally assembled and fully built EODev GEH2 generators that will be sold in Australia through retail partner Blue Diamond Machinery – Australia’s leading national independent distributor of off-grid power solutions.
The first model to be assembled will be the 110kVA GEH2 generator, which uses the same Toyota Fuel Cell system that powers the Toyota Mirai FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) and provides zero CO2, NOx or fine particle emission power generation suitable for a wide range of applications.
As the market develops, additional models with higher power supply will be considered for assembly and distribution in Australia.
Toyota Australia President and CEO Matthew Callachor said Toyota was committed to exploring and developing further applications for its fuel cell technology and helping to grow Australia’s hydrogen economy.
“Toyota fully supports the Australian federal and state governments’ drive in growing our hydrogen economy and is committed to exploring opportunities for our fuel cell technology well beyond its automotive use,” Callachor said.
“This agreement signed today is not about a trial or pilot program, it is about concrete action that will improve Australian businesses’ access to stationary hydrogen fuel cell generators and help them reduce their carbon footprint.
“At the same time, our investment will help to build Australian skills and capabilities in hydrogen technologies in what is a rapidly growing industry that will help Australia meet its emission reduction targets,” Callachor said.