This week I had the pleasure of attending the TR Group launch of its suite of hydrogen trucks including their 50MAX capable prime mover at Hampton Downs Racetrack. This has been a day long in the making for TR Group, a true moment for the industry to get together to celebrate, especially after a significant number of hurdles were overcome to get here.

It was a slick operation, at 8am we were fuelled with coffee in the car park to get our engines running, and then Paddy Gower warmed up the crowd in true Paddy style. TR Group CEO Andrew Carpenter took the attendees through the journey TR Group have undergone to get here, it was plain for all to see how much effort, commitment and passion it has taken to reach this point.

Then for the fun part.

Numbers attending were so high we were split into teams, and boarded a hydrogen-fuelled bus to go out to the club circuit to experience the trucks firsthand in action.

Qualified attendees were invited to drive the new gear, and NRC’s very own James Smith was seen grinning from ear to ear as he drove the first of sixteen kiwi-developed 50-max tractor units. The result of a partnership between Christchurch based Global Bus Ventures (GBV), K1W1 and Toyota New Zealand, it was hard not to be proud of the kiwi ingenuity that has gone into building it right here in New Zealand. A true manufacturing and technology success story – GBV is leading the world in this technology and the long-term implications are significant.

Also available for test drives were the Hyundai hydrogen fuel cell 6×2 curtain side with trailer, a Hyundai 4×2 metro hydrogen fuel cell and two of the hydrogen dual fuel trucks utilising the technology developed by HWR. These can operate up to 60% hydrogen but typically run at 20-30%. The TR 6×4 tractor unit that James took for a drive carries enough hydrogen to provide a 20% mix with diesel for close to 1000km.

There was also demonstration and presentation by Hiringa Energy on their hydrogen refuelling network roll out that will enable the trucks to operate throughout New Zealand. Refuelling time is the big advantage of hydrogen with a refuel taking as little as 5-7 minutes enabling the trucks to operate as a diesel truck would.

On display was the Hyundai 6×2 hydrogen truck in NZ Post livery operated by Shea Transport. This truck has now clocked up 200,000 km and owner Neil Dennet is impressed both with it’s on road performance and with its reliability.

It was also a great opportunity to catch up with many members that were there and hear first-hand their impressions of this technology. There was definitely a positive mood seeing the new vehicles in action with the rubber hitting the racetrack. While cheque books may be tight as we climb out of the recession, there is high interest in hydrogen and dual-fuel solutions for emissions reductions.

That’s where EECA’s (Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority) low-emission heavy vehicle fund comes into play, helping transport operators to purchase low emissions vehicles with an up to 25% subsidy on up front purchase price.

As we were leaving the track the next wave was arriving for the afternoon session highlighting just how much interest there is.

A huge thank you to Andrew, BK, Grant, Scott and the team at TR Group for putting on what was a fun, professional and rewarding industry event.

– By Justin Tighe-Umbers, chief executive, National Road Carriers