UK Government backs hydrogen for zero emission long distance journeys

The UK government has given a powerful signal that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles could provide a zero emission solution for long distance road transport, with fleets first in line for trials.

This week the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) awarded £8.8 million (€10 million) to purchase hydrogen fuel cell cars and support the expansion of the UK’s hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

UK Roads Minister, Jesse Norman, said, “Hydrogen has huge potential, especially for those making longer journeys and clocking up high mileage. Decarbonising our roads is an essential part of meeting our climate targets.”

Refuelling times for hydrogen vehicles are comparable to diesel and petrol, but produce only water as tailpipe emissions.  

The new investment will fund trials of 200 hydrogen cars, with police fleets and Europcar among partners that will operate the vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cell cars from Toyota, Honda and Hyundai are all expected to participate in the project. 

Paul Van der Burgh, president and managing director, Toyota GB, said, “This is a significant vote of confidence from the Government in the benefits of fuel cell technology. The programme is welcome support in our efforts to popularise FCEVs and help realise a hydrogen-based society.”

Toyota, Honda and Hyundai are partners with Shell and ITM Power in a second consortium that has secured £4.3 million (€5 million) of Government money to increase the number of hydrogen refuelling stations. The investment will fund four new public hydrogen refuelling stations and upgrade five more.

Dr Graham Cooley, chief executive officer of ITM Power, said, “This project will deliver the largest expansion of the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure ever undertaken in the UK and is a very significant step forward for the UK hydrogen industry.”

Hydrogen refuelling stations can produce hydrogen on site from excess and renewable energy, so both their refinement process and delivery is green and emission free.

At oil giant Shell, Oliver Bishop, general manager of hydrogen, said the fuel, “has the potential to become a significant part of the transport mix in a low-carbon future. Central to this success is collaboration between the Government, energy companies, OEMs and technology experts to create the infrastructure to make access to new fuel options viable.”