Australia’s first public hydrogen refuelling station for trucks and other heavy vehicles has officially opened in Geelong, Victoria. The station is part of a new Energy Hub designed to support the shift toward cleaner fuels in transport.
The site allows hydrogen-powered trucks, buses, and rubbish trucks to refuel just like diesel vehicles. It uses a fast-fill system that can fuel up to 10 trucks in under two hours. The station is located at the Viva Energy site. It’s the first of its kind in the country to be open to commercial users.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Victorian Minister for Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio called it a major milestone for Australia’s push to lower transport emissions.
Renewable Hydrogen Made from Recycled Water
The station includes a 2.5-megawatt electrolyser that produces renewable hydrogen using recycled water from Barwon Water’s Northern Water Plant. The hydrogen produced can power a fleet of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), which emit only water vapour while driving.
The electrolyser can create up to 1,000 kilograms of renewable hydrogen each day, making it the largest of its kind in Australia. This scale means there is enough supply to fuel a range of vehicles in the Geelong area and sell hydrogen to other commercial users as well.
EV Charging and Diesel Options Also Available
In addition to hydrogen refuelling, the hub provides fast charging for electric vehicles (EVs), helping fleet operators choose between multiple low-emission options. Traditional diesel is still available on-site, making it easier for mixed fleets to transition over time.
“By providing hydrogen as an alternative fuel, we are aiming to reduce emissions and contribute to the development of a more sustainable heavy transport sector in Australia,” said Viva Energy Chief Strategy Officer Lachlan Pfeiffer.
“Offering hydrogen refuelling alongside fast charging for commercial EV vehicles… is recognition that we believe the pathway to net zero will require a mix of new fuels and technologies,” he added.
Industry and Government Support
A key part of the project’s success has been early support from major transport operators. Toll Group, ComfortDelGro Corporation (CDC), Cleanaway, and Barwon Water have all committed to using hydrogen trucks. These trucks will support their operations in the region.
These partners received support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Victorian Government. ARENA granted $34 million to the project, while the state government added $1 million through its Renewable Hydrogen Commercialisation Pathways Fund.
Mr Pfeiffer said the project would not have been possible without strong collaboration
“Viva Energy extends its gratitude to all those who have contributed to making this exciting project a reality,” he said.
More commercial partners are expected to join the hydrogen network in the coming months as interest in zero-emission transport grows. The Geelong Energy Hub is designed to support a wide range of clean energy solutions. It helps Australia move closer to its net-zero goals one truck at a time.
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