H-powered car put to the test
We did our bit for the planet for the week – taking a 20-minute test drive in the only fully hydrogen-powered car in the country.
In a petrol car, our trip from the centre of New Plymouth to Lake Mangamahoe and back would have pumped five kilograms of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
But in the Hyundai Nexo we put out only water vapour.
The car is not currently available in New Zealand, but if the refuelling infrastructure was in place, an order could be put in today, says Shaun Biesiek, principal of Energy Motors Hyundai in New Plymouth.
A former three-term district councillor, Biesiek has supported hydrogen as the way forward for fuel for some time.
The hydrogen vehicle is essentially an electric vehicle (EV) powered by hydrogen to produce the electricity. While an EV is fine for some lifestyles, hydrogen power has a longer range, Biesiek said.
Although the Nexo’s price is not yet available, a 2019 review estimated it would be in the ballpark of $120,000.
Biesiek said they wanted to show people that hydrogen fuel was not something that would take years to see in place.
‘‘New Zealand is behind with this technology,’’ he said, as he showed off the test vehicle.
‘‘Hyundai has been manufacturing hydrogen vehicles commercially since
2012. The first vehicle was in
2000, so they’ve been playing with it for a long time.’’
The car is all up-to-date with the latest bells and whistles, including self-steering – but because automated cars are still illegal in New Zealand, it tells you to put your hands back on the wheel.
On the road, the sound of a conventional engine is replaced by a steady hum.
A handful of hydrogen fuel stations are set to open in New Zealand in 2021, and road user charge exemptions for electric cars have been extended, but only until the end of 2021.
‘‘New Zealand has to decide what it wants to do,’’ Biesiek said. ‘‘There’s not a lot of clear direction from the Government.
‘‘It has to be a collaboration.’’