TIL Logistics Signs Hydrogen Transport MOU with Hiringa

TIL Logistics Signs Hydrogen Transport MOU with Hiringa Energy

New Zealand freight and logistics company TIL Logistics Group Limited (NZX: TLL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Plymouth-based Hiringa Energy Limited to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology transport solutions in New Zealand.

The project has the potential to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from TIL’s national fleet of 900 trucks, 310 forklifts and 170 light vehicles.

The project will proceed in three phases.

The first phase, from now until mid-2019, will develop business cases for pilot projects and identify the key metrics for commercial scaling. This phase will leverage the $950,000 funding Hiringa has secured from the Provincial Growth Fund for the development of hydrogen fuel infrastructure.

Phase 2 will pilot hydrogen fuel cell solutions for TIL’s operations, with a target for first vehicle trials in 2020.

In Phase 3, the rollout of hydrogen fuel cells to power TIL’s vehicle fleet will be co-ordinated with investment in refuelling infrastructure, which Hiringa is scoping and developing with a range of partners.

TIL Logistics CEO Alan Pearson said the MoU signalled TIL and Hiringa’s commitment to the hydrogen fuel story.

“While there are a range of production, deployment and infrastructure options to be worked through, the use of hydrogen fuel has the potential to power our national fleet from a renewable source.

“Hydrogen technology offers a zero emission fuel solution. There’s no combustion and the only emission is water vapour.

“This underscores the work TIL is doing as a member of the Climate Leaders Coalition to reduce our carbon emissions and lighten our environmental footprint.”

Hiringa Energy CEO Andrew Clennett said hydrogen is a fuel of the future that is ready to implement now.

“Hiringa is excited to combine our capability with partners such as TIL Logistics to create a commercially viable network of renewable hydrogen generation, distribution and refuelling infrastructure across New Zealand. Hydrogen has a natural advantage for the commercial and public transport sectors with its fast refuelling times, long range and higher payloads.

“We have experienced first-hand the operations of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle fleets already in use in transportation systems overseas. New Zealand with its existing infrastructure, industry and renewable energy potential is very well suited to implementing this technology. It is envisioned that hydrogen fuel cell heavy transport will ultimately deliver a lower total cost of ownership than the incumbent diesel technology, yet without the emissions.”

ENDS

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