The role of hydrogen in the New Zealand transport and freight fleet was a focus as Toyota New Zealand launched its 2025 Sustainability Report on Tuesday evening to a room full of fleet owners and business partners.
Toyota is a core member of a three-way partnership with Global Bus Ventures and TR Group. Scheduled for delivery early next year, 20 hydrogen-powered trucks are being built by GBV using hydrogen fuel cells, sourced by Toyota NZ from its parent company, Toyota Motor Corporation.
Able to operate like a conventional diesel truck—just without the emissions—the 50-tonne GBV hydrogen prime mover is based on the DAF CF 530. The truck’s energy comes from two Toyota 85kW fuel cells (170kW total), a 124kWh battery system, and 52kg of onboard hydrogen storage. The first truck has been put through its paces during comprehensive road and track testing, with a range of 500km.
The truck forms part of a Government-supported programme with Hiringa Energy, which will see TR Group offer 20 hydrogen-powered trucks by way of a Fully Maintained Operating Lease. TR Group will deploy four Hyundai Xcient FCEV rigid chassis trucks, as well as the 16 6×4 “tractor units”, supplied by the Christchurch-based GBV. In total, the purchase represents an investment in the tens of millions of dollars, with each vehicle to be offered at competitive lease rates.
