Flag raises for green machines

By Kath Gannaway
SHIREof Yarra Ramges councillor Tim Heenan had a glimpse into the motoring future last week when he flagged off a fleet of 14 hybrid petrol and hydrogen-powered vehicles from Healesville RACV Country Club.
The cars were part of a 200-kilometre technology trial, which started at Melbourne Zoo and finishes at Montrose, by Greenfleet Australia.
Racing legend Peter Brock in a Holden was one of the drivers on hand.
The trial included new-generation diesel, petrol, hybrid petrol/electric technologies and a hydrogen-cell bus.
Greenfleet Australia’s chief executive officer, Henry O’Cleary, said hydrogen-powered transport technology was developing extremely quickly and offers the most likely solution for clean energy for future transport.
Cr Heenan travelled from Healesville to Montrose on the hydrogen-cell powered bus.
He said he was proud to be able to travel on a form of transport that had no greenhouse emissions, especially as there are only three buses of its type in Australia, and was impressed by the smooth ride.
“It couldn’t have been a smoother trip,” he said.
“It felt like we were travelling on glass … it felt like were gliding down Maroondah Highway,” he said.
Mr O’Cleary said he hoped the trial had raised awareness of the cars available for motorists who want to reduce their impact on the environment, especially with the ever-increasing cost of fuel.