Australia celebrates the first locally-assembled EODev GEH2®

EODev is proud to share the news that the first unit of its GEH2® generators built in Australia has now left Toyota Australia's production facility in Altona, Victoria. Toyota Australia announced that this first locally-assembled GEH2® hydrogen power generator was being delivered to Thiess, one of Australia's largest mining services companies. This significant milestone followed the signing of a franchise agreement in October 2023, with distribution of locally-built GEH2® handled by EODev retail partner Blue Diamond Machinery (BDM).

During an inaugural ceremony held on February 26th, the keys to the GEH2® were personally handed over by Matthew Callachor, President and CEO of Toyota Australia, to Thiess, represented by Ramesh Liyanage, Group Executive Assets, Autonomy & Digital, in the presence of EODev CEO Jérémie Lagarrigue and Blue Diamond Machinery director Justin Pitts. Thiess is the first Australian customer to take delivery of Toyota’s locally assembled EODev GEH2® hydrogen fuel cell stationary power generator. Toyota aims to assemble up to 100 GEH2® units over the next three years, with 28 units manufactured in 2024, primarily for sale in the mining, construction and events sectors in the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Toyota Australia president and chief executive Matthew Callachor highlighted how this was a proud moment for the company: “This is a great day for us at Toyota and all of our like-minded partners that have brought this important project to fruition as we aim to help drive towards a more sustainable future,” he said. “For Toyota, it’s part of our multi-pathway approach to decarbonization by providing Australian customers with a range of technologies and mobility solutions, including power generation, that help reduce carbon emissions. We are firmly committed to growing, and investing in, the hydrogen economy here in Australia and I’m particularly pleased that Thiess is set to become our first customer for this innovative hydrogen fuel cell generator". He continued: “Toyota has long-standing shared history with Thiess that started when Sir Leslie Thiess imported the very first LandCruisers into Australia to work on the Snowy Hydro Scheme in 1958. Thiess then gained the Queensland and other state distribution rights from our parent company in Japan and was instrumental in building our brand here, particularly in rural Australia. Now, we are working together again in a new era as we collectively aim to build a better future for all Australians.”

Thiess group executive for assets, autonomy and digital Ramesh Liyanage says Thiess is planning to use the generator in its mining operations in NSW and is looking to add a second unit in the future as part of its own decarbonization program. “This year, as Thiess celebrates 90 years of operations, we are well-progressed in our

journey to reduce carbon emissions from our operations, and we are determined to make a meaningful contribution towards decarbonizing the world’s resources sector,” he said. “We’re pleased at the prospect of being the first customer to take the locally-assembled hydrogen fuel cell generator unit and are excited to be partnering with Toyota once again, this time on cutting-edge technology that has the power to shape a more sustainable future for the world.”