New Zealand and Japan to work on hydrogen
New Zealand and Japan aim to become carbon neutral by 2050.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is joined by the head of Toyota NZ Neeraj Lala in Tokyo today (21st April) at the launching of an innovative hydrogen-powered car-sharing scheme in Auckland, New Zealand.
The scheme will feature the Toyota Mirai – which uses zero-emission fuel cell technology – in partnership with eight major New Zealand companies.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, “We need to significantly transform our economy to get there, and Japan is a natural partner for us to achieve that in areas like geothermal energy and transport.”
New Zealand Government is already supporting the roll-out of a series of refuelling stations to be used by heavy freight hydrogen trucks through $20 million from the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
These hydrogen-refuelling stations will begin to appear in the North Island later this year, built by New Zealand company Hiringa and Japanese partner Mitsui & Co.
Hydrogen infrastructure is also being developed in New Zealand by Japan’s Obayashi Corporation, which in partnership with Tuaropaki Trust opened New Zealand’s first-ever green hydrogen power plant. Obayashi’s investment in New Zealand’s hydrogen sector continues to grow through a partnership with Ports of Auckland to develop a green hydrogen production facility and refuelling infrastructure.
The Prime Minister is in Tokyo on the second leg of a Trade Mission to Singapore and Japan to rebuild their in-person relationships following the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
