NZ Post is reporting some key findings following a year-long trial of New Zealand’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered truck.
The Hyundai Xcient FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) was launched here in July last year as part of an initial evaluation period.
It has since moved into full commercial operations delivering parcel freight between Auckland and Hamilton to assess its performance on New Zealand roads and conditions.
Key feedback reveals it sails up the Bombay Hills, accelerates faster than fossil fuel vehicles, and incurs less driver fatigue.
Heavy transport experts from NZ Post and Hyundai Motors New Zealand evaluating the truck’s performance say they are “thrilled” with the results in both open road and urban routes.
They hope it will pave the way for uptake of this new technology in the sector as key to reducing carbon emissions.
Based on typical heavy vehicle mileage one fuel cell EV truck in operation avoids the equivalent CO2 of around 112 fossil fuel light vehicles – making a big difference with each heavy fuel cell vehicle.
NZ Post national road operations manager Ryan Beale has been overseeing the trial with current testing of the truck taking place around the South Auckland business area and between NZ Post’s South Auckland and Highbrook depots.
Longer-range testing has been between Highbrook and Waikato depots. The truck has been clocking between 350-400km a day, at an optimal cruise speed of 85-88km/h, maintaining the same point to point schedule time.
“The testing is to evaluate the vehicle’s suitability for our freight and the routes we serve,” Beale says.
“Within the current constraints, refuelling is taking place in Auckland while we await further network development.”
New government-funded hydrogen refuelling sites are due to open in Wiri, Te Rapa, Tauranga, and Palmerston North in coming months, enabling refuel in 15 minutes with state-of-the-art technology. These additional fuelling sites will open up longer routes and 24/7 operations.
The hydrogen truck is configured for European standards and conditions. It underwent an extensive range of tests and software adjustments to meet operational standards and compliance requirements for New Zealand regulations and road conditions before it was ready for the trial, Beale says.
New Zealand is the second country in the world to adopt the technology in a commercial setting. The other is Switzerland where 50 such trucks are in commercial use.
Grant Doull, hydrogen and eco commercial vehicles national manager at Hyundai NZ, says the project was two years in the making.
“This truck is ideal for NZ Post as a transporter of high volume, lower weight freight,” he says.
Evidence and performance data gathered in the trial will be of value to everybody in transport sector.
“It’s been a valuable partnership with NZ Post who are strong in sustainability leadership to trial this future-focussed technology,” Doull says.
Driver conversion
Neil Dennett, contracted to NZ Post, and the driver for the trial is won over.
“It’s a bloody good truck,” he says, adding he had no issues other than learning to adapt his driving approach to get the best out of it in terms of the speed-time-fuel ratio.
“Being a fully electric powertrain with a high torque we’ve been able to reduce the cruising speed from 90km/h to 85km/h to achieve the best economy and greater time saving overall.”
He says the truck sails up the Bombay Hills without losing power or speed.
Dennett has been at NZ Post for 30 years, having started as a courier for two years then driving NZ Post freight trucks on contract with Shea Transport Ltd.
He admits he hadn’t previously identified as being a “greenie” but through driving the hydrogen truck he’s learned much about the science of emissions and has a new appreciation of the difference driving a vehicle powered with clean fuel can make.
He’s been surprised by another aspect. Driving has been “a different world. You don’t get all the rattles, bangs, the engine noise and all that.”
He feels more refreshed after a shift behind the wheel thanks to the absence of the noises, smells and vibrations that are normal for diesel trucks.
The next stage of the trial is to use it in more urban settings for deliveries. This will allow more customers and the public to see it. Dennett says he gets lots of positive comments and interactions with NZ Post staff and members of the public who’ve seen or heard about it.
