Hydrogen fuel cell etrucks here soon
THE NEW ZEALAND TRUCKING industry is poised to become one of the world’s first to put hydrogen fuel cell electric heavy-duty trucks to work.
Taranaki-based Hiringa Energy has signed a heads of agreement with the newly-created, United States-based HYZON Motors hydrogen vehicle company – aiming to have hydrogen fuel cell etrucks on the road here early next year.
There will be “a widespread rollout” of the HYZON-supplied trucks – with 500 horsepower/372 kilowatts and able to drive 500 kilometres at 50 tonnes all-up – in 2022.
The truck purchase deal follows on from the announcement in July by Hiringa that it is joining forces with truck and trailer leasing and rental giant TR Group to introduce hydrogen fuel cell electric heavy trucks here.
That partnership aims to combine Hiringa’s expertise in producing hydrogen and its plans (with others) to create a nationwide hydrogen refuelling network…and TR’s dominance in NZ’s heavy transport hire market.
Together, they said, they will offer packages to trucking companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.
In announcing the deal with HYZON – a company that has suddenly sprung into the global zero emissions limelight this year – Hiringa reveals that the TIL Logistics Group, one of NZ’s largest homegrown freight and logistics companies, is also a partner in its hydrogen truck ambitions.
It says that the HYZON agreement “supports Hiringa and its partners’ strategy to roll out over 1500 FCEVs (fuel cell electric vehicles) by 2026, driving the cost of the technology down and unlocking widespread adoption of zero emission heavy transport.”
Hiringa CEO Andrew Clennett says that the agreement “helps bring a major piece of the puzzle together for zero emission supply chains – delivering an exciting solution for the high utilisation heavy trucking sector….
“And complements the partnerships we have been growing with trucking industry leaders such as TIL Group and TR Group. We are looking forward to working with these partners, their customers, and other key players in the heavy transport industry on this rollout.”
The HYZON trucks will be NZ-suited, in a variety of configurations, including 8x4 and 6x4 rigids and tractor units.
Hiringa chief technology officer Dan Kahn says the agreement is “an exciting milestone for Hiringa Energy and our partners. It comes on the back of over three years’ of detailed planning and analysis, working together with heavy fleet operators, government and leading technology vendors such as HYZON Motors.
“The FCEV truck market is growing rapidly, with enormous demand coming out of the US and Europe.
“So, for NZ to be able to secure this agreement with HYZON demonstrates NZ’s leadership in how we are approaching the hydrogen FCEV opportunity.”
HYZON Motors co-founder Craig Knight says the partnership with Hiringa will be “accelerating the decarbonisation of commercial transport in NZ, which is highly fitting for a country known for its pristine environment.
“The Hiringa hydrogen infrastructure deployment will position NZ to become a global leader in the adoption of zero emission heavy vehicle technology…”
And Clennett says that NZ “is set to be one of the first countries in the world to be able to offer a zero-emission national supply chain.”
Hiringa and HYZON plan an initial validation phase that will see 20 trucks on the road next year – “moving to large-scale commercial deployment from 2022 onwards.”
The trucks will be fuelled by Hiringa’s nationwide hydrogen refuelling network, located on key partner sites such as Waitomo Group’s existing fuel stops. The network will commence refuelling operations next year, expanding to eight stations across the country by 2022 as part of a Phase 1 network plan – servicing 100% of the North Island and 82% of the South Island’s heavy freight routes.
The Phase 2 expansion will increase the network to at least 24 stations by 2025, providing coverage for 95% of all heavy vehicle routes throughout NZ.
The refuelling network has earned $20million worth of provisional Government support.
T&D