Hydrogen Refuelling Station to Open in Tauranga
- ilecher
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Above: Hiringa’s hydrogen refuelling station is currently being built.
The refuelling process
When the Tauriko refuelling station officially opens later this year, it will become the fourth in Hiringa’s national network, along with South Auckland, Hamilton and Palmerston North. This gives transport operators coverage of 95% of North Island road freight routes, including concentrated coverage of the Golden Triangle of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, where 42% of New Zealand’s freight happens.
It makes hydrogen transport even more viable for transport operators, with plans for at least 20 more refuelling stations in the works between now and 2030.
Refuelling is not unlike the process for filling up any other vehicle. Drivers simply connect the nozzle to the fuel tank, pull the trigger and push a button to start fuelling. It only takes 15-20 minutes to refuel most trucks – similar to the time it takes to top up a diesel truck.
Safety standards
Just like petrol, diesel or any other combustion fuel, there are strict safety standards for hydrogen equipment and processes. Hiringa’s hydrogen technology is designed and certified to international hydrogen and pressure equipment standards. Independent experts have modelled and approved the safety profile of equipment, even after it’s been certified.
Hiringa’s overall approach to health, safety, environment and quality processes has been voluntarily audited, and all recommendations have been addressed and signed off by the auditor.
In the same way that thousands of people around New Zealand visit refuelling stations and fill their vehicles with liquid fuel every day without thinking twice about it, refuelling a hydrogen truck is a fairly routine experience.
We will share more about the Tauranga station opening closer to the time.