Government seeks to promote hydrogen vehicles

Public and private sector fleets can get up to 75% off the cost of zero-emission fuel cell electric vehicles. Further steps have been taken in the aim to make nearly every vehicle in the country zero-emission by 2050. A £2 million Government fund has been announced to encourage more businesses to switch to hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.

The Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Fleet Support Scheme will allow local authorities, health trusts and police forces, fire brigades and private companies to bid for funding to add hydrogen-powered vehicles to their fleets.

The fund is expected to bring 100 more hydrogen-vehicles onto the road by spring. These vehicles are a cleaner and greener equivalent.

The fund follows on from the Government’s commitment of £5 million in 2014 through the Hydrogen for Transport Advancement Programme for 12 hydrogen refuelling stations.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said:

“We are always looking at new ways to make the vehicles of the future cleaner, and hydrogen fuel cells are an important part of our vision for almost all cars and vans to be zero-emission by 2050. This funding, along with the growing network of hydrogen refuelling stations opening in England, will help businesses and the public sector to get on board with this exciting technology. This is further proof that we are leading the way in making journeys cleaner and protecting the environment.” The fund will assist with the cost of up to 75% of the new vehicle cost together with ongoing support for the running costs for up to 3 years. The industry is continuing to grow. The UK is currently one of 5 to launch the market for these vehicles. Currently we have on sale the Toyoto and Hyundai having a single FCEV model for sale, and the Mirai and the iX35 Fuel Cell.