Sasol and Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) formed a partnership to commence exploration of the development of a green hydrogen mobility ecosystem in South Africa.

The companies 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 commenced 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 refuelling 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.

"To unlock green hydrogen opportunities, we are pursuing various demonstration opportunities and partnerships, as with Toyota, with the intent of enabling and taking advantage of technology developments and breakthroughs," said Fleetwood Grobler, Sasol President and CEO.
 
"One of the focus areas for Sasol in South Africa is to provide a comprehensive and sustainable mobility solution. We believe hydrogen mobility is a real opportunity for the country to decarbonize the sectors of long-haul and heavy-duty transport, mining and others and see the creation of hydrogen hubs, or ecosystems, as a practical and affordable way to scale the deployment of hydrogen in the transport sector."