Hydrogen fuel providers will be able to bid for funding
in partnership with organisations that produce hydrogen
vehicles to help build high-tech infrastructure,
including fuel stations. The funding will boost the
creation of hydrogen fuel infrastructure and uptake of
hydrogen-powered vehicles.
A competition will be launched this summer, and will
invite proposals from public organisations, businesses
and hydrogen operators. The government will provide match
funding for successful bidders as part of its plans to
cut carbon emissions, improve air quality and deliver
economic opportunities for the UK.
Transport Minister said:
The transition to zero emission road transport is both
inevitable and desirable as it will improve air quality
in many of our towns and cities. Hydrogen fuel cell
electric vehicles can play a vital role alongside
battery electric vehicles to help us cut harmful
emissions.
We know availability of hydrogen refuelling
infrastructure can be a potential obstacle to the take
up of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. That’s why
we’re providing support to give interested parties the
confidence to continue to invest in this new emerging
technology to help us achieve our ambition for almost
all new cars and vans to be zero emission by 2040.
Hydrogen vehicles can be quickly refuelled using a pump
like a conventional petrol or diesel car, but instead use
gas. They produce only water as a by-product and have a
range of around 300 miles per tank, like conventional
vehicles.
The government is working closely with industry on the
future direction of the UK automotive sector and has
allocated over £600 million for low emission vehicles
over the course of this Parliament with an additional
£390 million announced at last year’s Autumn
Statement for ultra low emission vehicles and
driverless cars.
Paul Van der Burgh, President and Managing Director of
Toyota (GB), said:
Toyota believes hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles
can play an important role in the transition to a low
carbon, low emissions society. We chose the UK as one
of the first international markets for our Mirai
hydrogen fuel cell car and are pleased that the
government is investing in this programme to encourage
the further development of refuelling infrastructure
and the wider uptake of fuel cell vehicles.
We will continue to work with the government,
organisations and industry partners to help the UK
realise the significant potential of hydrogen as a
clean and sustainable source of power.
Today’s announcement builds on the launch of
the Industrial
Strategy green paper published in January which
outlined plans to fund new high-value economic
infrastructure and reaffirmed government commitment to
investing in energy innovation and to tackling the causes
of climate change.
