electric/hybrid

UK Government announces £23 million to support hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a new £23 million fund to accelerate the take up of hydrogen vehicles and associated infrastructure.
UK Government announces £23 million to support hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure

A competition will be launched this summer in which 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. Proposals are invited 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.

“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” said UK Transport Minister John Hayes. “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.”

Paul Van der Burgh, President and Managing Director of Toyota (GB), added that the company believes hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles can play an important role in the transition to a low-carbon, low emissions society. Toyota chose the UK as one of the first international markets for its Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car and is pleased to see the government investing in the programme to encourage the further development of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and the wider uptake of fuel cell vehicles. The company has said it 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.

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. The government’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, while also reaffirming government commitment to investing in energy innovation and to tackling the causes of climate change.

For additional information:

Department for Transport (DfT)

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