Hyzon’s decision to scale back its international operations has struck a blow against the New Zealand transport industry, with the federal government’s $6.5 million investment to purchase 25 hydrogen trucks now in doubt.
Hyzon cited waning government support and tough market conditions as primary factors in pulling operations in Oceania and the Netherlands, despite establishing Australia’s first purpose-built hydrogen vehicle assembly plant in Melbourne as recently as 2021.
The failed delivery of the trucks has come in tandem with the removal of a NZ$100 million rebate scheme for hydrogen users in the 2024 budget.
A report by the University of Canterbury’s Ian Mason and Massey University’s Robert McLachlan detailed the changing perception of hydrogen within New Zealand’s market and urged consumers to be realistic about its potential as a fuel source.
New Zealand’s issues with effectively integrating hydrogen as a net-zero heavy vehicle option seems to follow an emerging trend across the globe, with German rail and Austrian bus companies electing to pursue battery electric vehicles instead.
Hyzon elected to pull out of its international markets to focus on its core North American markets, but says it still maintains an interest in returning to Europe and Oceania as a fuel cell system supplier.
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