Wellington airport trials hydrogen generator for electric ground vehicles

In New Zealand, Wellington Airport said that four New Zealand businesses have come together to trial using hydrogen in an aviation setting for the first time in the country. Air New Zealand, Wellington Airport, Toyota New Zealand, and Hiringa Energy have joined forces to trial using hydrogen to charge Air New Zealand’s electric tugs and service vehicles over the next few weeks at Wellington Airport. Air New Zealand Senior Sustainability Manager, Jacob Snelgrove, said: “Green hydrogen is starting to be used around the world as a low-emission fuel for buses, trucks, trains, and boats. Aircraft are the logical next step and successful test flights are already underway overseas. The biggest challenge here in New Zealand is setting up the supply, transport, and infrastructure to support fuelling the aircraft. This trial is an important first step to enable the development of that system.” The trial will be conducted using a hydrogen fuel cell provided by Toyota New Zealand. The fuel cell uses hydrogen to generate electricity, with supply coordinated by Hiringa Energy, a New Zealand-based clean energy company.

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