GBV hydrogen fuel cell trucks showcased at NZ’s 2026 Hydrogen Hui alongside a dual-fuel cement mixer and hydrogen cars.
Global Beacon Ventures showcased two generations of its locally engineered 50-tonne hydrogen fuel cell trucks at the national Hydrogen Hui in Christchurch, underscoring New Zealand’s capability to produce zero-emission trucks.
Hon Shane Jones’ visit to Christchurch for the national Hydrogen Hui on 12 August 2026 began with a first-hand experience of locally developed hydrogen transport. He was met at Christchurch Airport by Global Beacon Ventures Application Engineering Manager Phil Carter and driven to the Hui in GBV’s second-generation 50-tonne hydrogen fuel cell prime mover.
The Hydrogen Hui brought together government officials, industry leaders, researchers, and international representatives to discuss New Zealand’s hydrogen opportunities across heavy transport, industry, aviation, marine applications, regional development, energy security, and exports. The event also marked the launch of the New Zealand Hydrogen Council’s Hydrogen Infrastructure Development Plan.
Minister Jones announced that the Government had set aside $30 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for projects supporting growth in the hydrogen sector. He also announced a separate $15 million investment in Aspiring Materials’ planned critical-minerals and green-hydrogen production facility in Southland.
Hydrogen’s Role in Heavy Transport
In his address, Minister Jones identified heavy transport as one of the sectors where direct electrification can pose challenges. For transport applications where battery weight, range, payload requirements or charging time are limiting factors, hydrogen fuel cell technology offers a complementary way to reduce emissions while maintaining operational capability.
The journey from Christchurch Airport allowed Minister Jones to see the technology in action under ordinary road conditions. In a video recorded beside the second-generation prime mover, he acknowledged the investment made by the New Zealand Hydrogen Council and GBV in Christchurch-based expertise, describing the truck as a product with potential for both New Zealand and export markets.
Hydrogen Trucks Engineered for Commercial Deployment
The second-generation prime mover was one of two GBV hydrogen trucks displayed at the Hui. Positioned alongside the first-generation vehicle, the trucks demonstrated GBV’s established capability to engineer, manufacture, and support hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for commercial heavy transport.
The first-generation fuel cell electric truck repurposed a DAF CF 530 chassis, replacing its diesel powertrain with a zero-tailpipe-emission fuel cell electric powertrain. Equipped with a 360kW electric motor, twin Toyota fuel cells producing 170kW in total, a 124kWh battery system, and 52kg of onboard compressed hydrogen gas, the truck had a driving range of 450–500km, depending on the route, operating conditions, and driving style.
Engineering refinements in the vehicle’s architecture have resulted in GBV’s second-generation fuel cell electric truck being lighter and more powerful, with approximately 10 per cent greater driving range. The truck is fitted with a 550kW electric motor, twin Toyota fuel cells producing 170kW in total, and a 124kWh battery system. It carries 57kg of onboard hydrogen.
Richard Brown, Senior Software Engineer at Global Beacon Ventures, said, “From an engineering perspective, these trucks represent a refined vehicle platform engineered for repeatable manufacturing and fleet-scale deployment. GBV’s vehicle control architecture integrates proven components into a consistent, scalable system. Reliability, fault handling, diagnostics, maintainability, and predictable performance across different loads are built into the platform. This enables us to produce and support multiple vehicles for commercial operation across New Zealand and international markets.”
New Zealand Engineering and Manufacturing Capability
Both trucks displayed at the Hui were developed at GBV’s Rolleston manufacturing facility in partnership with Toyota New Zealand and TR Group.
From design through to manufacture, GBV develops zero-emission powertrain solutions that combine internationally proven drive, fuel cell, and electronic components with the company’s in-house vehicle control technology. GBV’s hydrogen integration expertise has been applied across multiple industries and operating environments, including America’s Cup chase boats and city buses.
Phil Carter, Application Engineering Manager at Global Beacon Ventures, said, “Deploying the latest hydrogen fuel cell technologies at commercial scale across the Southern Hemisphere represents a significant step forward in reducing emissions, particularly in heavy transport. GBV has the engineering expertise and manufacturing capacity to deliver and support these vehicles for fleet operators throughout the region.”
With proven vehicle technology and an established production facility, GBV is positioned to supply locally engineered hydrogen heavy vehicles as commercial deployment expands across New Zealand and international markets.
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