The Motor Industry Association says the proposed development of New Zealand‘s first nationwide hydrogen refuelling network will provide an important step in the country’s journey towards a low emissions transport sector.

Chief executive David Crawford says this is an exciting prospect and New Zealand has a lot of scope to produce clean hydrogen. 

“We need to reduce emissions from our vehicle fleet and hydrogen can play an important role.”

He says that producing hydrogen from renewable electricity backed up by New Zealand’s abundant gas resources in Taranaki would have a big impact on transport emissions and help to lower the country’s carbon footprint. 

“We need to be prepared to use all forms of low emission fuels, and not just focus on electricity.”

Crawford says new car distributors are very supportive of the prospect of a clean, green transport future.

“It‘s clear that there are good business opportunities for hydrogen development and distribution, as demonstrated by the proposed partnership between Hiringa Energy and the Waitomo Group.

“A comprehensive hydrogen production and a refuelling network would provide an important new source of fuel, not only for heavy vehicles, but also increasingly for cars.

“Hydrogen vehicles are currently already in use in the UK, USA, Japan, Korea and Europe, and last year Hyundai unveiled its hydrogen-powered SUV at Mystery Creek Fieldays.”