TR Group has confirmed new purchase agreements to bring hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks to Aotearoa New Zealand.
The updated fleet plans include 20 hydrogen trucks with first deliveries expected early this year.
The deal follows the collapse of TR Group’s original deal with US-based Hyzon Motors, which was placed into administration.
The new purchase agreement includes four 6×2 rigid units to be supplied by Hyundai New Zealand, and 16 6×4 tractor units to be supplied by Christchurch-based firm Global Bus Ventures (GBV). Of these, 12 will be built on CF85 DAF chassis, while the remaining four will consist of Hyzon models, which GBV will complete.
“We are very excited with what we now have to offer,” TR Group said in a newsletter update.
“Adding a New Zealand based manufacturer to this programme really adds to the New Zealand story with this project, in that we are providing local jobs and developing local expertise and experience,” it said.
The first Hyundai truck is already in New Zealand undergoing body fitting, with the remaining three expected to land by the end of January 2025. All four Hyundai trucks are expected to be available for delivery by the second quarter of 2025. They are the same as the existing Hyundai Xcient fuel cell truck already on the road with NZ Post.
TR Group said GBV’s first hydrogen truck is already built and undergoing compliance and testing, with the first customer delivery set for early this year and the remaining units delivered through the second half of the year.
The GBV built trucks will have specifications equivalent to those originally proposed via the original Hyzon deal. This includes 58 tonne GCM equipped with dual Toyota 85kW fuel cells with 96kW peak output. They will be fitted with 11 hexagon type 4 hydrogen tanks with 52kg max fuel load.
GBV is already experienced with hydrogen fuel cell technology and built New Zealand’s first hydrogen fuel cell bus, which was launched by Auckland Transport in March 2021. The local manufacturer was also picked by Emirates Team New Zealand to be the system integrator for the team’s hydrogen-powered chase boats.
For both GBV and Hyundai trucks, hydrogen fuel will be charged to customers each month on an as-used basis at the rate of $16.50 per kg.
This price is expected to reduce as refuelling partner Hiringa Energy gets more volume in the network.
Currently, three of the four hydrogen fuel stations are fully operational, with the Tauriko station still in progress.
TR Group is also partnering with CH2NGE Fuel Technologies, a division of H.W. Richardson Group, to develop two dual-fuel trucks that run on both diesel and hydrogen.
The technology reduces carbon emissions by up to 40% while maintaining operational flexibility. If hydrogen is unavailable, the trucks can operate on 100% diesel without impacting performance, making them a practical option as hydrogen infrastructure continues to expand.
“While these are not zero emission, we believe we should not let perfect get in the way of better,” TR Group said.
The dual-fuel trucks include a Volvo FH600 8×4 tractor and a CF85 DAF 6×4 tractor which will also be available early in the year.
In addition to the hydrogen trucks, TR Group also has two battery electric 11-tonne GVM SEA-powered 4×2 curtainside trucks available for short-term rental. This adds to its fleet of more than 40 battery electric trucks (BEV).
The trucks are ideal for urban pick-ups and deliveries and have been tested for nearly three years, offering a range of 150 to 200km on a single charge.
