The NZ Post Hyundai XCIENT FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) was officially unveiled yesterday at an event held at NZ Post’s Auckland Operations Centre which was attended by Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods. Bringing a hydrogen truck into the fleet is an exciting milestone, NZ Post Chief Executive Officer David Walsh says.
“We are very proud to be leading the way by putting the country’s first hydrogen truck into commercial operation,” he said.
Investing in hydrogen fuel cell technology aligns perfectly with NZ Post’s goal of being a fully carbon neutral business from 2030 and achieving our science-based target of reducing carbon emissions between now and then.
“Sustainability is a big deal to all of us at NZ Post and we see hydrogen technology as one way to contribute to reducing emissions within New Zealand’s road freight sector,” he said.
Based on typical heavy vehicle mileage one fuel cell EV truck in operation will avoid the equivalent CO2 of around 100 fossil fuel light vehicles, so a big difference is made with each heavy fuel cell vehicle. NZ Post has been working jointly with Hyundai Motors New Zealand to secure the truck.
Hyundai New Zealand CEO Andy Sinclair says he’s delighted that a New Zealand company such as NZ Post which is so committed to leading the way in sustainability is the first to invest in this zero-emission transport technology.
“Heavy transport emissions are notoriously hard to offset, as electric battery vehicle alternatives can’t offer companies the same productivity. Larger trucks are driven all day, every day over long distances. Taking multiple hours out to recharge a battery regularly is time the truck can’t be on the road. Hydrogen technology is an important solution for NZ Post and other similar businesses to introduce as part of reducing their heavy freight emissions,” Sinclair said.
This is the first of five XCIENT hydrogen trucks the motor company bought into the country last year, the truck has undergone a number of modifications to become road-ready and will be fully commercially operational when the validation process is complete.
