Team New Zealand trialling hydrogen chase boat

Powered by Hydrogen technology supplied by its 30-year sponsor, Toyota New Zealand, Emirates Team New Zealand has officially launched its zero-emission chase boat, a catamaran named ChaseZero for sea trials in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.

According to Stuff, the 10-metre catamaran design includes hand-built hydrogen fuel cells supplied especially for the concept by sponsor Toyota. The ChaseZero catamaran is to undergo final commissioning on the water in the next before getting up on its foils under full power.

Stuff also reports that Emirates Team New Zealand has made hydrogen-powered chase boats mandatory for teams entering the next Americas Cup Challenge racing series to be held in Barcelona in 2024 as it defends its possession of the Old Mug.

Toyota New Zealand chief executive Neeraj Lala says the company is excited to see the catamaran in the water as a demonstration of Toyota’s hydrogen technology.

He says two prototype hydrogen fuel cell units in pre-production phase were secured from Toyota Motor Corporation for the Emirates Team New Zealand trial to investigate the different applications of this carbon neutral technology. 

“Toyota is focused on helping advance hydrogen technology and its development in New Zealand through commercial partnerships, such as the ETNZ fuel cell chase boat, under our Toyota Hydrogen Projects banner,” Lala says.