SightGlass

Tasmania has launched its first hydrogen-powered public transport initiative with three fuel cell buses now operating across Hobart’s Metro network, powered by locally produced green hydrogen as part of the state’s push toward net-zero emissions by 2030. The hydrogen electric buses (HEB), manufactured by Foton with fuel-cell systems developed by SinoHytec and Toyota, form part … Continue reading Tasmania maps out hydrogen-powered bus fleet and fuelling

Australia has taken a significant step into the hydrogen economy with the launch of its first publicly accessible renewable hydrogen refuelling station in Geelong, Victoria, as the nation positions itself to become a major player in the global clean energy market. The $62 million Viva Energy Hub facility, which opened on June 13, 2025, marks … Continue reading Hydrogen still finding its feet as a transport fuel

Researchers from the United States have developed nano-engineered solid-state cooling technology claimed to be twice as efficient as current thermoelectric systems, with the potential to revolutionise refrigeration and climate control across multiple industries. The innovation from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland, developed with Samsung Research engineers, offers a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to … Continue reading Nano-engineered cooling tech could render vapour compression obsolete

Australia’s refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) industry continues to grow in scale and importance, with over 113,000 current ARCTick permit holders as of 30 June 2025. This includes 90,966 Refrigerant Handling Licence (RHL) holders and 22,357 Refrigerant Trading Authorisation (RTA) holders, underscoring the critical role RAC industry plays in environmental protection and technical excellence. Continue reading ARC Insights: Driving sustainability and skills – the rise of automotive refrigerant licensing in Australia

Kleandrive has partnered with British public transport operator First Bus and heavy vehicle manufacturer Alexander Dennis to convert diesel buses to electric using innovative modular drivetrain tech. The collaboration will initially result in 30 Wrightbus Streetdeck double-deckers fitted with KleanDrive electric drivetrains. Continue reading Double-decker buses get a new life with EV swap

Australia’s road freight sector is struggling to decarbonise, despite a potential $36 billion opportunity in low-carbon liquid fuels, with regulatory fragmentation and infrastructure gaps hampering progress toward the nation’s 2050 net-zero target. Heavy trucks currently account for nearly 40 per cent of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions and around seven per cent of Australia’s total emissions … Continue reading Australian truck fleet struggles to decarbonise

Stellantis has partnered with battery technology company Ample to bring modular battery swapping to Madrid’s streets, aiming to revolutionise electric vehicle charging for car-sharing service Free2move through five-minute battery exchanges. The rollout features a fleet of Fiat 500e vehicles equipped with Ample’s modular battery packs that can be swapped for fully charged units in under … Continue reading Five-minute battery swap shops open in Madrid

After showcasing its retrofittable Future Hybrid Concept at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show (as reported in SightGlass issue 37, Horse Powertrain has now revealed a global plug-and-play hybrid system for multiple vehicle types. The UK-headquartered joint venture between Renault Group and Geely backed by energy giant Aramco was founded in May 2024, combines Geely subsidiary … Continue reading Horse launches ‘plug-and-play’ hybrid system to help auto-makers cut CO2

Honeywell’s proposed R134a to R1234yf retrofit

By Refrigerants Australia executive director Dr Greg Picker With the start of the transition to R1234yf in significant numbers in new vehicles and the HFC quota likely to impact refrigerant supply and price, the mobile air-conditioning industry is trying to assess what refrigerants they can use in a retrofit situation.  The situation seems complicated and … Continue reading Retrofitting refrigerant in automotive applications: What are the current rules?

Although an earlier transition to BEVs would accelerate reductions in transport emissions, BMW head of portfolio management for electrified powertrains Michael Hoffmann considers hybrids a smart and scalable way to cut CO2 in the short term as manufacturers face tightening regulations and uncertainty around charging infrastructure. “If you glanced at September’s European Automobile Manufacturers Association … Continue reading BMW exec spruiks hybrid tech as market resists fast BEV uptake