In collaboration with Global Bus Ventures (GBV) and Toyota New Zealand, truck rental agency TR Group has launched a hydrogen-powered 50-tonne prime mover.
Capable of functioning similarly to a traditional diesel truck but without producing emissions, the 50-tonne hydrogen prime mover, developed by GBV, is built on the renowned DAF CF 530 model. It is powered by a combination of two 85kW Toyota fuel cells (totalling 170 kW), a 124 kWh battery system, and 52 kg of hydrogen stored onboard.
As part of a government-backed initiative with Hiringa Energy, TR Group will provide 20 hydrogen-powered trucks through a fully maintained operating lease.
TR Group plans to deploy four rigid chassis Hyundai Xcient FCEV trucks and 16 6×4 tractor units, which will be supplied by GBV.
Grant Doull, TR Group’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck project manager, notes that the company has been actively pursuing decarbonisation for several years. This journey includes operating over 60 battery-electric trucks and pioneering New Zealand’s first commercial heavy hydrogen truck.
“We are committed to supporting uptake of low-emission technologies in the heavy transport sector, and through this project we’re taking a significant step towards demonstrating how hydrogen can play a key role in that.”
“Collaboration across the industry, alongside the development of refuelling infrastructure, will be critical in making hydrogen a viable and scalable solution for New Zealand’s heavy transport sector.”
Tatsuya Ishikawa, chief executive of Toyota New Zealand, which supplied the fuel cells for the truck, noted that Toyota’s continued efforts with hydrogen technology in New Zealand are consistent with its worldwide pledge to achieve carbon neutrality.
“From heavy-duty commercial vehicles and motorsports to hydrogen-powered marine vessels and off-grid generators, Toyota is demonstrating that hydrogen is more than just a fuel—it’s a key part of the clean energy future. We continue to invest and collaborate with others in the hydrogen sector in order to help build a robust hydrogen ecosystem that will benefit both businesses and communities across the country.”
“TR Group has significant scale within the New Zealand trucking industry, and we expect our partnership with them and GBV will see a substantial increase in the number of hydrogen-powered freight vehicles on Kiwi roads. Through our diverse efforts, Toyota New Zealand is bolstering the domestic hydrogen industry while also demonstrating the versatility and potential of hydrogen technology in creating a sustainable energy landscape,” he added.
Hydrogen Tech for Maritime Use
Toyota’s hydrogen technology has been successfully applied in maritime applications, notably through Emirates Team New Zealand’s ‘Chase Zero’, the world’s first hydrogen-powered foiling chase boat, which debuted during America’s Cup events in Auckland and Barcelona.