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Sasol and Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) have formed a partnership to start exploration of the development of a green hydrogen mobility ecosystem in South Africa.
Sasol and TSAM will jointly pursue the development of a proof-of-concept demonstration for a green hydrogen mobility ecosystem. The parties intend to develop a mobility corridor and expand the demonstration to a pilot project using one of South Africa’s main freight corridors, such as the N3 route between Durban and Johannesburg, for hydrogen powered heavy-duty long-haul trucks.
To initiate the project, the parties have determined that it would be appropriate to pursue the introduction of FC trucks into South Africa. This supports the available research on FC technology where it is shown that long distance mobility is better suited to FC technology compared to battery electric trucks.
In this regard, there is no current Toyota FC truck available to introduce into South Africa, as this is currently in prototype development in Japan. TSAM have therefore began the investigation of introducing the FC truck to South Africa as soon as available from its principals in Japan. In addition, the parties are evaluating the installation of a hydrogen refueling station for the demonstration project. TSAM will lead investigation of the FC truck introduction, with Sasol supporting in providing the required infrastructure expertise.
An enabler for this strategic intent is the expansion of the partnership between Sasol and TSAM to include other companies and stakeholders along the hydrogen mobility value chain. This is to allow industry to gain valuable first-hand knowledge of hydrogen refueling stations, the introduction of hydrogen into the heavy duty truck supply chains and the commercial drivers underpinning the hydrogen mobility value chain.
Toyota has defined aspirations towards 2050 by way of six challenges, each of which is accompanied by globally committed stringent goals. This can only be realized by each Toyota family member around the world contributing to this. The company’s biggest contributor to the realization of the 2050 challenge is expected to come from diversification of and positioning the ideal mix of new energy vehicles powertrains.
South Africa is endowed with exceptional renewable energy resources making the country ideal for green hydrogen production, which has the potential to contribute to energy security and trade for South Africa, while facilitating a just energy transition to a lower carbon economy.
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