Hydrogen fuel cell technology developer Hyzon Motors has announced a new commercial agreement with New Zealand-based heavy-duty truck fleet owner TR Group.
The agreement will see a trial commence, with Hyzon providing TR Group with 20 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), which was originally planned for January 2021.
This trial will see the first two trucks undergo deployment from March 2024, being used in TR Group’s fleet for as long as three months. After this trial period, TR Group will have an option to purchase those two trucks in addition to upfitting another 18 trucks with Hyzon’s 200kW fuel cell systems.
Those systems will be assembled at Hyzon’s facility in Melbourne.
Hyzon CEO Parker Meeks says the collaboration between the two companies has been a long time in the making.
“We look forward to deploying the first trucks with 200kW fuel cell systems produced by Hyzon in heavy-duty operations with TR Group. It marks a significant step toward the full commercialization of our single stack 200kW fuel cell system,” he says.
“The critical competitive advantages our system offers, including improvements in total volume, manufacturing costs, total weight, and fuel efficiency, will help accelerate the decarbonization of the transportation sector, with TR Group leading the way.
“Additionally, the upfitting contract in place for TR Group’s optional 18 FCEVs aligns with our cash-efficient and technology-focused business model.”
TR Group says it is New Zealand’s largest heavy-duty fleet owner, with 6200 tractors encompassing its fleet. In operation for over 30 years, this will be one of the first trials of its kind.
General manager Brendan King says it is an exciting time for the two companies.
“We have had great uptake from customers for these vehicles, who share similar values to ourselves when it comes to decarbonising the transport network and making the world a greener place,” he says.
“We are serious about reducing our impact on the environment. Hyzon’s 200kW heavy-duty FCEV trucks give us real world use of this zero-emission technology and allow us to develop solutions for local conditions.”