I listened in excitement to news of our PM Jacinda Ardern announcing a hydrogen-powered car-sharing scheme with Japan, while she was in the country this month.

With the cost of fuel – both petrol and diesel, once you add on diesel mileage – and then the price-tag of electric vehicles I was keen – mouth-frothing in fact – to find out when this third alternative would hit the car sale yards back here at home.

The PM was with Toyota at its announcement of hydrogen-powered car-sharing scheme, smiling in the press snaps.

With her Government keen to drive up interest in hydrogen cars, the scheme will see a fleet of Toyota Mirai shared between eight companies.

Hydrogen refuelling stations will start popping up across the North Island. They will be built by NZ company Hiringa, together with Japanese partner Mitsui & Co.

But when, when, when, I yelled at the TV? 'It'll take some time. Infrastructure for New Zealanders will be at least five to 10 years before it's readily available,” said Toyota NZ CEO Neeraj Lala.

Really? It takes five to 10 years to get these hydrogen cars up and running here? That's way too slow. With all the tech, investment funds and cooperation between the two governments surely we can get these cars sooner? What a letdown. We need more alternatives in terms of vehicles. And we need them now!

B Smith, Papamoa.