BYRON Shire Council is trialling a new hydrogen-powered garbage truck in the town centre as part of a push to reduce carbon emissions.<\/p>\n
The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, operated by council’s waste collection contractor Solo Resource Recovery, is one of only a handful of its kind in NSW and will operate around the Byron Bay CBD.<\/p>\n
The vehicles combine stored hydrogen with oxygen to power an electric motor, producing only water vapor and heat as tailpipe emissions, offering fast refuelling and long range, making them great for heavy-duty transport.<\/p>\n
Council’s resource recovery manager Danielle Hanigan said the organisation was keen to explore the potential of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles as part of its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and environmental impact.<\/p>\n
“The vehicles is the same size as a normal waste truck, but it looks different and is branded as a hydrogen vehicle, so it won’t be hard to miss,” she said.<\/p>\n
“We are the first Council in the Northern Rivers to trial a hydrogen-powered truck, and the busy Byron Bay town centre will be a good test of its range and performance, especially at this time of year.<\/p>\n
“Council is investing in electric vehicles, including trucks, as part of its own fleet and we are very keen to see, first-hand, the potential of hydrogen as an alternative to traditional diesel-powered trucks.<\/p>\n
“The environmental benefits are front-of-mind for Council, but this truck will also be much quieter in the street so there will be less noise pollution.”<\/p>\n
Data gathered during the trial will help inform how Council may transition away from diesel-fuelled trucks to renewable energy options in the future.<\/p>\n
The vehicle will be trialled for three weeks, with the possibility of extending the trial depending on the outcome.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BYRON Shire Council is trialling a new hydrogen-powered garbage truck in the town centre as part of a push to reduce carbon emissions. The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, operated by council’s waste collection contractor Solo Resource Recovery, is one of only a handful of its kind in NSW and will operate around the Byron […]<\/p>\n