30 May 2022

Decarbonising heavy transport with hydrogen trucks

From Nine To Noon, 9:30 am on 30 May 2022

Work is underway to build a network of hydrogen refuelling stations to power a new fleet of low-emission trucks, a move that could significantly decarbonise the country's heavy transport industry. The Taranaki-based energy company Hiringa Energy is building the network, and will be incorporated into existing Waitomo fuelling sites. Work has begun on four initial stations on key transport routes in the North Island; in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton and Palmerston North, and it's hoped to expand to 24 refuelling stations across the country over next four to five years. 

Hiringa Energy's chief executive Andrew Clennett says heavy transport accounts for more than a quarter of New Zealand's total vehicle emissions, despite making up only four percent of vehicles. He says in terms of emissions, taking one diesel truck off road is the equivalent to removing 150 cars. Kathryn speaks with Andrew Clennett, chief executive of Hiringa Energy and Andy Sinclair, chief executive of Hyundai NZ. Both are board members at the New Zealand Hydrogen Council.