If 2024 was about establishing hydrogen transport in New Zealand, 2025 is the year green hydrogen shows its muscle as a viable and reliable way for businesses to decarbonise.

Increasing hydrogen vehicles are hitting the road this year as operators begin transitioning their fleets away from fossil fuels.

“Most transport operators we’re talking to have plans to acquire at least one hydrogen truck this year,” says Hiringa head of new business Ryan McDonald.

There are several reasons why.

“We have proven the reliability and effectiveness of our refuelling stations, being open nearly a year now, and falling interest rates, which have made it cheaper to invest in new vehicles,” Ryan says.

“Operators are realising that the performance of the hydrogen trucks is going to closely match their diesel equivalents in terms of payload, distance and refuelling time.

“Customers are genuinely making decisions to partner with operators based on their emissions profile. Those that are serious about decarbonising realise the time for just talking about sustainability is over.”

New Zealand’s first hydrogen truck, NZ Post’s Hyundai Xcient FCEV (fuel-cell electric vehicle), has ticked over 140,000km on the road with excellent performance and feedback from NZ Post and the truck drivers. Other international case studies are helping to give operators confidence in switching to hydrogen.

“Awareness of dual-fuel vehicles is also growing, and TR Group’s recently announced supply arrangements with Change Fuel Technologies for dual-fuel trucks and Hyundai/GBV for fuel-cell trucks is further evidence that things are happening,” Ryan says.

EECA’s Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund is available to subsidise the cost of hydrogen vehicles, lowering the barriers to purchase.

“One of the ways we see hydrogen developing this year is in heavy transport in particular,” he says.

“While batteries are great in cars and light commercials, the impact on payload and the time to recharge for big gear is substantial.

“Comparatively, hydrogen trucks have a similar range and payload to diesel equivalents and can be reliably refuelled in as little as 15 minutes. Fuelling a hydrogen rig is equivalent to charging an electric vehicle with a 3MW connection – it’s a significant amount of power.”

There are a range of events and showcases over the next few months where operators can find out more, including the TMC Trucking Industry Show in Christchurch on 7 and 8 March, and TR Group’s Hydrogen EV Day at Hampton Downs on 27 March.

In addition to the three Hiringa refuelling stations already operating in the North Island, two new stations are opening in the second quarter. Hiringa’s Tauranga refuelling station and HWR’s Invercargill refuelling station will both further the range for hydrogen trucks across New Zealand.

These events represent chances for operators to check out vehicles, ask questions and understand more about hydrogen transport.

For operators wanting to keep up and be seen as transport leaders, the time to switch to hydrogen is now.