The New Zealand Motor Industry Association – representing new car importers – said the proposed development of the country's first nationwide hydrogen refuelling network would provide an important step towards a low emissions transport sector.

Chief executive David Crawford said this was "an exciting prospect and New Zealand has a lot of scope to produce clean hydrogen".

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

"We need to reduce emissions from our vehicle fleet and hydrogen can play an important role."

Producing hydrogen from renewable electricity backed up by abundant gas resources in the Taranaki region [mid west coast, North Island] would have a big impact on transport emissions and help to lower the carbon footprint.

"We need to be prepared to use all forms of low emission fuels, and not just focus on electricity."

Crawford said new car distributors were "very supportive of the prospect of a clean green transport future".

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

"It's clear there are good business opportunities for hydrogen development and distribution as demonstrated by the proposed partnership between Hiringa Energy and the Waitomo Group.

"A comprehensive hydrogen production and refuelling network would provide an important new source of fuel, not only for heavy vehicles, but increasingly for cars.

"Hydrogen vehicles are currently already in use in the UK, US, Japan, Korea and Europe and, last year, Hyundai unveiled its hydrogen-powered SUV at Mystery Creek Fieldays [an annual agricultural equipment show]."

Following the 1970s oil crises, New Zealand developed a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle refuelling network using indigenous energy supplies but this fell out of favour within a decade or so.