John Edgley is the new managing director for Hyzon Motors’ Australia and New Zealand operations.

Based in Melbourne, Edgley will oversee Hyzon’s expansion of its hydrogen fuel cell-powered business in Australasia.

With more than 20 years’ experience as an investment manager in multinational industrial operations to the role, he joins Hyzon after having served as the chief investment officer for a multinational industrial conglomerate with operations in water and wastewater treatment, marine construction, infrastructure, and diversified portfolio investment.

Edgley will oversee Hyzon’s first delivery of hydrogen fuel cell-powered coaches to Fortescue Metals Group’s Christmas Creek iron-ore hub in Western Australia and the first hydrogen-powered prime movers to Hiringa Energy in New Zealand.

According to Hyzon, Edgley has deep experience in innovating within traditional industrial operations, creating sustainable growth and enterprise value by applying technology, systems and insight to the discipline of physical manufacturing.

“There is enormous opportunity in this region of the world for Hyzon to introduce its hydrogen fuel cell technology,” Edgley said.

“The long distances, extreme weather conditions and challenging terrain, along with prolific mining activity, create the need for high performance, rugged technology. Unlike many other zero-emissions solutions, the high-density fuel cells developed by Hyzon are uniquely suited to tackle these environments.”

“We stand at a pivotal point in history as hydrogen takes over from fossil fuels and Hyzon is positioned to power the next era of economic growth,” he said.

“It is a real privilege to be building new jobs, new manufacturing and technology facilities, and a fundamentally new industry in Australia and New Zealand, that will underpin a sustainable future for us all.”

Edgley’s appointment comes ahead of Hyzon’s business combination with Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company, that would result in Hyzon becoming a publicly listed company.

Hyzon is seeing accelerating demand for zero-emissions transport solutions throughout Australia and New Zealand. Under Edgley’s leadership, Hyzon will continue introducing its imported commercial vehicles, and also expects to localise production of key platforms, including refuse collection vehicles and road trains for use in the mining sector.