What’s being billed as one of the world’s first hydrogen powered garbage trucks has started rounds on the NSW South Coast, with councils hailing it as a milestone.

The emissions-free truck completed its first residential round in the state’s Illawarra region this week.

Wollongong and Shellharbour City Councils, which are putting the vehicle through its paces for waste contractor Remondis, say it represents an exciting breakthrough.

“This is a really exciting development and is a proactive step forward in adapting to new technologies that can help reduce our city’s emissions, Wollongong Mayor Gordon Bradbery said.

The privately-funded launch of the hydrogen truck comes after the recent launch of Australia’s first heavy vehicle hydrogen refuelling station at Port Kembla.

The fuel cell electric truck uses hydrogen, which combines with air to generate electricity to power its motor, emitting only water vapour and making significantly less noise than a diesel truck.

A spokesman for Remondis told Government News the vehicle is safe to operate.

“From Remondis’ perspective, all eyes will be on the one truck for now to see how it holds up performing full commercial duties,” he said. 

Trials have shown the truck can cover 200 kilometres – completing full waste collection runs- without refuelling, Remondis says.

It’s expected the truck will be refuelled for 15 minutes each day.

Remondis NSW South Coast Region Manager Chris Wade says the company aims to have the hydrogen truck match to company’s diesel trucks “in all factets”.

“That includes completing about 1,000 bin lifts over about eight hours,” he said.

Mr Wade said trials conducted over recent months had given the company confidence to put the truck in to operation, serving up to 300,000 residents.

The truck will be deployed across all areas of the Illawarra, he said, and save about 25,000 litres of diesel annually.

The truck was developed by fuel cell technology specialist Hyzon Motors in partnership with waste collection equipment manufacturer Superior Pak.

Hyzon Motors President of International Operations John Edgley says global industries are taking a keen interest in the Illawarra developments.

“Today’s announcement is a real game changer for the world’s decarbonisation journey”, he said.

“We’re making it very clear that we’ve got a product now, the first product that’s been designed locally, that’s ready to go into market.”