Given almost half of all CO2 reductions needed to reach net zero by 2050 are expected to come from technologies still in the prototype stage, it is exciting to see more innovation coming to fruition and, particularly in recent months, that has been hydrogen vehicles. While some believe we’re entering a battle between battery electric (BEV) and hydrogen commercial vehicles comparable to Betamax and VHS in the 80s, it would be more reasonable to compare them with Microsoft and Apple – both having their own place in the market.
I was pleased to test drive a prototype hydrogen vehicle earlier this month and it was a joy – they’re hydrogen vehicles are high-tech, smooth and quiet to drive – and crucially offer a zero emission solution to the very longest haul routes. It’s promising, therefore, that the UK is a hotbed for hydrogen innovation with initiatives such as Advanced Propulsion Centre funding and the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme.
UK production and supply of hydrogen itself is fundamental to make operating these vehicles more viable for fleets, so it’s positive that the ZEHID programme includes investment not just in vehicles but seven mixed electric charging and hydrogen refuelling around the country. Innovate UK is hosting a series of webinars looking at the latest hydrogen production projects, from South Wales and Northern Ireland to North East England and Scotland – one such project being the planned Bradford Hydrogen Hub that could run up to 800 of these very greenest buses. Details on the next webinar can be found here.
Just as hydrogen vehicles cannot be run without a dynamic infrastructure sector, nor can they remain on the road without a highly skilled aftermarket to service and maintain them. It was really exciting to visit South & City College Birmingham recently which is developing the UK’s first Level 3 technician course for hydrogen light and heavy commercial vehicles. Having successfully secured grants from different funding pots, they have purchased their own hydrogen truck and have invested in a state-of-the-art training facility that can be turned into either a hydrogen or BEV workshop.
Importantly again, the college has access to a local hydrogen refuelling facility which makes topping up the tank as easy as diesel refuelling. As SMMT’s recent papers on hydrogen, HGV and bus and coach decarbonisation make clear, more of these training courses, and more of these refuelling stations, we’ll be many steps closer to making hydrogen fleet operations a reality on UK roads.