Pure Hydrogen’s majority-owned subsidiary, Hdrive International, has received a bind-ing purchase order from Wilba Transport for the delivery of a battery-electric EV70 Mini Bus.
Wilba Transport was contracted to make the order on behalf of the NSW Government, as part of an initiative to expand On-Demand Transport Services in Regional NSW
Follows previous order by NSW-based transport group Sapphire Coast Buslines (September 2023) for two 18-seat BEV mini buses which are scheduled for delivery shortly
Additional Hdrive purchase order received in November 2023 from North American hydrogen vehicle dealership, Nutcher Hydrogen, for the build and delivery of a 6×4 50T prime mover and 54- seater coach
Recent orders reflect ongoing establishment of Hdrive’s order book for Australian and interna-tional customers, with multiple pilot programs advancing
Pure will be holding an Investor Drive Day event on 19 March 2024 which will provide investors an opportunity to drive the EV70 Mini Bus along with the Taurus truck – Australia’s first HFC (Hy-drogen Fuel Cell) Prime Mover
Sydney– Australian clean energy company Pure Hydrogen Corporation Limited (ASX: PH2 or ‘Pure Hydrogen’) is pleased to announce that its majority owned subsidiary, Hdrive International, has received a binding order from Wilba Transport on behalf of the NSW government for the delivery of a BEV (battery electric vehicle) EV70 Mini Bus.
The order forms part of an ongoing initiative by the NSW government, which has contracted Wilba Transport – based in the north-west jurisdiction of Bourke – to expand delivery of on-demand transport solutions in regional New South Wales jurisdictions.
As part of this initiative, Wilba Transport has placed an order for the HDrive EV70 7.5m electric minibus, designed to meet specific transport needs within the region. The EV70 is compliant with Australian Design Rules (ADR) and incorporates a low-floor design with a seating capacity of 18. It has a driving range of up to 300km on a single charge with a short recharge time of 45 minutes and is equipped with DDA-compliant wheelchair accessibility.
The deal follows a previous order for Hdrive to supply two battery-electric low-floor 18-seat minibuses to Sapphire Coast Buslines, a transport provider that operates on the northern coast of NSW (refer ASX Announcement 12 September 2023.The BEV buses are scheduled for delivery shortly.
In turn, the deal with Wilba Transport reflects the potential for this addressable market to grow as transport providers in the public and private sectors prioritise the development of their clean energy vehicle fleets.
As the public ages and government stresses lower emissions transport solutions, HDrive’s electric and hydrogen solutions continue to align with the evolving needs of the market.
The current Mini Bus order from Wilba Transport means Hdrive now have orders in excess of $1.7 Mil-lion for its BEV and HFC Buses. Wilba Transport’s decision to invest in the EV70 demonstrates their com-mitment to providing efficient, smart, and connected transport options for residents in regional NSW.
Hdrive’s latest purchase order also adds to a growing pipeline of vehicle deliveries and pilot testing programs for hydrogen-powered and electric-battery vehicles in the Heavy Vehicle industry. Vehicle deliveries to-date include the Taurus Prime Mover, a collaboration with global food & beverage con-glomerate PepsiCo, along with a hydrogen-powered waste removal truck for JJ’s Waste & Recycling. Both vehicles are in the advanced stages of ADR testing and are scheduled for completion in early 2024.
Along with its Australian order book, Hdrive also received a purchase order in November 2023 for the delivery of two hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEV) from North American dealership Nutcher Hydrogen. (refer ASX Announcement 30 November 2023). The agreement will see Hdrive supply a 6×4 50T prime mover and 54-seater coach, subject to conditions precedent, which will be used by Nutcher Hydrogen as demonstration vehicles.
Valued at around US$1.22m, the deal marks Hdrive’s first entry into the North American heavy vehicle market, where Nutcher specialises in the delivery of heavy fleet, machinery and equipment to industrial clients.
Accompanying its multi-channel vehicle development strategy, Pure Hydrogen will also be hosting an Investor Drive Day in Western Sydney on 19 March 2024. Invitations will be sent to existing shareholders and investors who are registered on the Company’s email list. The event will provide another opportunity for investors and industry participants to drive the Taurus HFC Prime Mover and the EV70 Mini Bus.
Scott Brown, Pure Hydrogen Managing Director, commented: “We are pleased to announce the latest purchase order for Hdrive, which adds to a growing pipeline of purchase orders and pilot testing programs in alignment with our commercial development strategy for hydrogen-powered and electric vehicle solutions, to serve growing demand in the heavy vehicle industry. With its first-mover advantage in this sector, Hdrive has established its operations as best-in-class and ongoing demand for its vehicle technology across different applications – from prime movers and industrial vehicles to passenger transport – reflects that growing footprint. We look forward to providing more updates on future purchase orders and the pending completion of our comprehensive pilot testing programs as the Company executes on the next phase of its vehicle commercialisation strategy.”
Kevin Fielding, Sales Manager at HDrive, commented: “We are proud to support sustainable regional transport solutions that facilitate better connectivity for customers. Naturally, we are thrilled to partner with Wilba Transport to introduce the HDrive EV70 in regional NSW. Our electric minibus not only addresses the immediate transportation needs but also aligns with the government’s vision for low emissions and sustainable mobility solutions. The NSW Government’s contract with Wilba Transport underscores its dedication to improving transport infrastructure and accessibility across the state, particularly in regional areas where reliable transportation options are crucial for community well-being and economic growth.”
This announcement has been authorised by the Managing Director of Pure Hydrogen Mr Scott Brown.
For further information, please contact:
Pure Hydrogen: Managing Director – Scott Brown +61 2 9955 4008
Released through: Ben Jarvis, Six Degrees Investor Relations, +61 (0) 413 150 448
About Pure Hydrogen Corporation Limited
Pure Hydrogen is a clean energy focused company seeking to become the leader in the development of Hydrogen and Energy Projects through the use of cutting-edge technology processes. It plans to supply hydrogen fuel to both Australian customers and regional Asia Pacific markets, through the pro-duction of Green, Emerald and Turquoise Hydrogen. Concurrently, the Company is developing natural gas projects directly in Australia and Botswana and through a strategic investment it holds in a Bot-swana-focused energy company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Strategically, Pure Hydrogen will also prioritise incubation for early-stage companies or projects within the clean energy sector, with the aim of realising profits from those investments.
For further details – www.purehydrogen.com.au
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