Hyzon Motors Inc. and New Zealand‘s Hiringa Energy have signed a vehicle supply agreement, with Hyzon commissioned to build and supply Hiringa with zero-emission heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), the first of which are expected to enter service in New Zealand by the end of 2021.

The hydrogen fuel cell-powered trucks will be assembled at Hyzon‘s facility in Winschoten, The Netherlands, to full compliance with local New Zealand requirements. The Hyzon FCEV trucks are designed to meet New Zealand road requirements and the demands of heavy freight applications. Hyzon plans to have up to 1500 fuel cell trucks on the road in New Zealand by 2026 as part of the agreement with Hiringa.

The vehicle supply agreement builds on the signing of a Heads of Agreement between the two companies in August 2020, and sets Hyzon and Hiringa on an ambitious path towards decarbonising the New Zealand heavy transport sector through cooperation on hydrogen infrastructure and FCEV deployment.

As part of the agreement, Hiringa will build a nationwide green hydrogen refuelling network, to establish New Zealand as the global benchmark in fuel cell-powered logistics. The network is on track to commence refuelling operations in 2021, expanding to eight hydrogen stations across New Zealand‘s North and South Islands in 2022, servicing 100% of the North Island and 82% of the South Island‘s heavy freight routes. 

The trucks will be built in a 6×4 configuration, will include a sleeper cab option and will have a GCM of 58 tonnes and range of 680km. In addition to the enormous clean energy output benefits, one of the key highlights of Hyzon‘s hydrogen fuel cell-powered trucks is their comparable-to-diesel refuelling times, providing a “drop in” solution for freight operators to replace their diesel fleets.

“This order is a significant milestone and the culmination of many hours of work from the Hyzon and Hiringa teams. We are very excited to have New Zealand road compliant heavy trucks capable of meeting New Zealand‘s transport needs arriving in country this year. This is a key step to decarbonising our road transport, a growing industry that Kiwis rely on everyday as it supplies us with food, products, and essential goods,” said Hiringa chairperson Cathy Clennett. 

“We are pleased leading New Zealand brands are stepping up to participate in this exciting initiative. Consumers and companies are becoming more aware of emissions and together with Hyzon we are providing kiwi businesses with a viable solution.” 

Hiringa CEO Andrew Clennett added: “This is the next step in our strategy to roll out over 1500 heavy FCEVs by 2026; alongside our partners, we are driving the cost of the technology down and unlocking widespread adoption of zero emission heavy transport for New Zealanders.”

Hyzon Motors CEO Craig Knight commented: “We see New Zealand as an attractive market for the deployment of our hydrogen fuel cell technology. The hydrogen supply network designed by Hiringa is a key enabler for the realisation of our decarbonisation strategy. This partnership aims to position New Zealand as a global leader in the adoption of zero emission heavy vehicle technology, and we are pleased to be playing a major role in this transition.”