Ports of Auckland is delighted to learn today that it has been approved for part-funding for the purchase of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles from the Government’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (LEVCF), administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
Ports of Auckland, along with its project partners Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and KiwiRail, will procure a hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) bus and three HFC cars as part of its wider project to build a hydrogen fuel production plant. The fund will be providing 14% of the estimated cost of these vehicles.
As announced last year, Ports of Auckland has committed to build a hydrogen production and refuelling facility at its WaitematÄ port, a first for Auckland.
Ports of Auckland’s Hydrogen Project Manager Rosie Mercer said the part-funding was welcome news. “Collaboration is key to the success of a project like this, which is breaking new ground in an effort to stem climate change. That is why we’re working with Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, KiwiRail and Arup. Having Government support as well is a real boost.”
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a type of electric vehicle (EV) but are powered by hydrogen fuel cells rather than batteries. In the fuel cell hydrogen is combined with oxygen to produce electricity. Fuel cell vehicles are zero emission.
Auckland Transport Bus Services Manager, Darek Koper, said AT is very excited about the possibilities of hydrogen power for the city’s buses. “This ties into our Low Emission Bus Roadmap and commitment to clean technology. It could be part of the answer, along with electricity, for our buses and is also a possible energy source for harbour ferries.”
Ports of Auckland Hydrogen Demonstration Project
The Funding for the Ports of Auckland Ltd will be $250,000
As part of its hydrogen fuel demonstration project, Ports of Auckland together with its partners (Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and KiwiRail) will procure hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (EECA funding goes toward one bus and up to three cars) that will be used and tested as part of the wider hydrogen demonstration project in Auckland. The project is reliant on the completion of Ports of Auckland’s separately-funded hydrogen plant project, which is expected to be completed in December 2019. The project will be undertaken in collaboration with project partners with each party testing the viability of the fuel cell vehicles for their needs.
Read the most up to date Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Industry news at FuelCellsWorks
