Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry

Lord Bishop of Hereford Excerpts

Wednesday 19th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

On fuel cells in general, we can say that the industry has funded R&D for zero-emission technologies and transport through a number of programmes, including the zero-emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme. Nearly 300 zero-emission HGVs have been produced and there are 73 planned infrastructure locations, while battery electric HGVs are currently available for purchase, with over 35 models on the market. We are doing a lot in this area, but I will take into consideration what else the noble Lord has mentioned and write to him.

[The Lord Bishop of Hereford]

My Lords, we accept that the use of hydrogen is to help us to reduce our carbon footprint but recognise that there are a variety of different ways by which that hydrogen can be generated, some of which are environmentally damaging. What steps are His Majesty’s Government taking to ensure that the hydrogen used across UK industry is sourced sustainably and in ways that will reduce CO₂ emissions, not increase them?

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I thank the right reverend Prelate for that question. We are investing in trying to produce as much green hydrogen as we possibly can. It is a key area of hydrogen production, and we want to ensure that everything that we do is going to be carbon-neutral. Obviously, that is the kind of hydrogen that we want to produce.