Ark Energy Corporation, an Australian affiliate of Korea Zinc, the world’s largest zinc, lead, and silver producer, has placed a firm order for five 154-ton trucks with Hyzon Motors.

Hyzon must provide the zero-emission vehicles to Ark Energy by the end of 2022, according to the order. Townsville Logistics, Ark Energy’s sister company, will lease the trucks and use them in triple (three-trailer) road train configurations as part of its short-haul fleet, which will operate on a 30-kilometer loop from the Port of Townsville to the group’s Sun Metals zinc refinery. The fuel cell vehicles are estimated to minimize carbon dioxide emissions by over 1,400 tons per year when compared to diesel trucks.

Hyzon intends to assemble the vehicles in Australia, in line with the company’s objectives to increase local fuel cell vehicle production. The vehicles are expected to be fueled at Ark Energy’s SunHQ hydrogen hub in Townsville, with green hydrogen created by an electrolyzer driven by a nearby solar farm, according to Hyzon.

The project will be the world’s first to employ Hyzon’s ultra-heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles.

“Hyzon is the only hydrogen commercial mobility company that can meet our needs,” said Ark Energy CEO Daniel Kim. “Our fuel cell trucks need to be 154-ton rated, built to Australian Design Rules and delivered by the end of next year. That was the ultimate basis for placing this order.”

“This definitive order from Ark Energy is a prime example that decarbonization is happening now,” said Craig Knight, CEO of Hyzon. “Our work with Ark Energy will help lay the foundation for an emissions-free future in Australia.”