Describe what HVS does?
HVS is a UK company founded 2017. From innovative powertrain design to ground up production, HVS aims to disrupt the commercial vehicle industry by being an early mover with the most advanced, all–new zero emission HGV. Combining unique design, efficiency, and performance; HVS will provide the ultimate driver experience at lower costs and lowest emissions.
What can the Government do to incentivise the uptake of hydrogen-powered vehicles?
Governments must implement a package of support measures that provide operators with incentives and offer clarity on actual costs to generate confidence to invest in new fleets. Providing incentives, such as financial support and emissions-based vehicle purchasing, would strengthen the economic case to drive faster uptake thus bridging the gap between diesel and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
How urgent is the need for change?
The reliance on diesel-powered HGVs, which account for 96% of the fleet currently in operation, means there is pressing urgency for change. If there is no pathway to transition provided now, we risk locking-in carbon emissions of new diesel vehicles, which will operate for the next 10 years.
To prevent this, governments and local authorities must provide clear commitments to supporting the transition by setting ambitious carbon reduction targets and adopting sector-specific goals.
Is the Government doing enough with regards to green hydrogen production?
The UK has made commendable progress in decarbonising its electricity industry, but to maintain momentum and be a potential world leader, it must take advantage of further renewable resources.
HVS calls on the UK Government to ramp up support for the increased production of renewable energy and channel these efforts into green hydrogen production. This will enable infrastructure investors to scale up, driving down hydrogen costs which in turn reduce the TCO for hydrogen-powered HGVs. As the rollout of H2 infrastructure continues and demand increases, the price of sustainable renewable hydrogen is expected to reach and then be below parity with diesel, further driving its adoption.
Tax and support regimes also play a vital role, as even a slight shift in the relative price of renewable hydrogen compared to diesel could realise high-load, high-mileage HGVs transition earlier, resulting in significant carbon emission reductions by eliminating the worst polluting vehicles.
Does hydrogen infrastructure in the UK need improving?
There is a current lack of third-party supplied infrastructure for both electric and hydrogen vehicles. HVS has undertaken a heat map analysis of the UK logistics road network and estimates that as little as seven strategically located hydrogen refuelling stations would be required to serve most HGV movements in the motorway distribution network. Initially, these refuelling stations could be mobile, catering to small or regional deployments, and then later transition to fixed structures to accommodate growing demand.
By focussing first on long-haul HGVs joining together regional hubs and the collaboration with a station operator completely solves the chicken-and-egg situation of hydrogen deployment for vehicles and ultimately other uses.
How important is training in the move towards hydrogen?
To support the transition, HVS recognises the importance of a skilled workforce. Investment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) cultivates and promotes R&D initiatives, and provides opportunities for collaboration between academia, industry, and government.
STEM experts offer invaluable support with expertise spanning across R&D, engineering, design, and production – all elements that contribute to innovation, economic development, and a more secure future for hydrogen.
Jawad Khursheed, CEO of Hydrogen Vehicle Systems
