Asked by: Viscount Hanworth (Labour - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they favour the deployment of hydrogen fuel cells in trains and heavy goods vehicles in replacement of diesel engines.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the important role of hydrogen in decarbonising the economy, and expects hydrogen and its derivatives to play a role in sectors where there are limited alternative solutions with each transport mode driving progress on the solution that is most appropriate to them.
The Department is supporting the transition to low carbon fuels in surface transport through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, alongside driving hydrogen research, development and deployment through programmes such as the SAF and ZEV Mandates, ZEHID, UK SHORE, the Advanced Fuels Fund, and the CAA’s Hydrogen in Aviation Regulatory Challenge. The Government will also be publishing a renewed Hydrogen Strategy in 2026 to sharpen priorities and deepen industry collaboration, alongside a forthcoming Zero Emission HGV and Coach Infrastructure Strategy.
Asked by: Viscount Hanworth (Labour - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the range and traction power requirements of non-electrified rail services; and how these factors are informing technology choices where full electrification is not currently planned, particularly where battery-powered trains may face operational constraints.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Officials from the Department for Transport are working closely with Network Rail to produce their new 'Future Electric Railway' strategy. This strategy will include an examination of the whole life costs and technological capability of each option to remove diesel traction in order to set out a realistic, affordable, and deliverable approach to a net zero railway. This strategy will also complement the Department’s ‘Rolling Stock and Infrastructure’ strategy to identify the correct solution for upgrading both track and train as required. We anticipate both strategies being published mid-2026.