New Zealand Launches Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks to Reduce Transport Emissions
Key Ideas
- TR Group is leasing out 20 hydrogen fuel cell trucks to companies in New Zealand to reduce transport emissions.
- The trucks have shown exceptional performance, with one already having covered close to 200,000km with New Zealand Post.
- Hydrogen fuel cell trucks produce only pure water emissions, targeting high-emission vehicles with fast refueling capabilities.
- New Zealand already has three hydrogen fuelling stations in operation and is working on building more despite initial cost challenges.
Two new zero emission trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells have been launched in New Zealand to combat transport emissions. TR Group is set to lease out 20 such trucks to companies as part of a government-backed initiative with Hiringa Energy. The trucks have already showcased their reliability, with one truck having covered nearly 200,000km working with New Zealand Post. These trucks will be based at Hampton Downs in Waikato and Christchurch. The adoption of hydrogen fuel cell trucks aims to target high-emission vehicles in the heavy transport sector, which contribute significantly to emissions. The current hydrogen fuelling stations in South Auckland, Hamilton, and Palmerston North, with a new one under construction in Tauranga, signify a growing infrastructure to support hydrogen-powered vehicles in New Zealand. While there are initial cost challenges, the industry expects costs to decrease as demand and volume increase, following the trend of new technologies.