A freight company purchases a large number of hydrogen trucks which produce no carbon emissions – is it a sign that the New Zealand industry is decarbonizing for the future?
Indeed, the TR Group has ordered 20 Hyzon Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks for the New Zealand market. The 600HP, 58 tonne trucks will be powered by 100% green hydrogen, with the only emissions being water vapour.
The 20 HFC trucks will contribute emissions savings of approximately 5,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year and will be made available to customers by way of a Fully Maintained Operating Lease (FMOL) including fuel.
The New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has welcomed the news that heavy vehicle leasing and rental company TR Group has ordered 20 heavy hydrogen fuel cell trucks for delivery next year, with $4 million in co-funding from the COVID Response and Recovery Fund (CRRF) and an additional $2 million in co-funding from EECA.
The TR Group has worked closely with the government and Hiringa Refuelling New Zealand Limited (Hiringa Refuelling), who are developing the fuel supply network to support the trucks.
“Hydrogen is being seen to play an important role in establishing New Zealand’s low-emissions economy, and heavy freight is considered a promising application for it,” Andrew Caseley, CEO for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority said.
“New Zealand has the renewable energy needed to produce green hydrogen, and investing in the vehicles and infrastructure will create new jobs in a highly skilled industry as well as reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.”
Mr Caseley noted that there is significant international interest in hydrogen and that, with fewer than 1,000 refuelling stations worldwide, New Zealand will be an early adopter in this space.
“By investing in vehicles and infrastructure and experiencing first-hand the delivery and learnings in the green hydrogen space, we’re enabling skills to develop, regional economies to grow, and providing a real-world commercial demonstration,” Mr Caseley added.
“These are early but equally global pioneering steps in our hydrogen journey, as we all watch with interest to see what green hydrogen’s full potential will be.”
