Electric Vehicles: Hydrogen

(asked on 1st June 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to create jobs in hydrogen transport technology.


Answered by
Rachel Maclean Portrait
Rachel Maclean
This question was answered on 9th June 2020

The UK is particularly well placed to be a leader in hydrogen and fuel cell powered transportation due to our high-quality engineering and manufacturing capability in relevant supply chains creating opportunities for investment and jobs. The Government’s approach to delivering long-term ambitions for greener transport is technology neutral and we are supporting hydrogen where the market favours its use.

In road transport, hydrogen is eligible for support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation following changes made to the scheme in April 2018. The Office for Low Emission Vehicles and the Advanced Propulsion Centre are funding a wide range of development projects in hydrogen roads vehicles across technology readiness levels. Government is also supporting the technology through the £23m Hydrogen for Transport programme and £2m FCEV fleet support scheme. The Clean Maritime Plan published last year recognised hydrogen as one of a number of the key fuels on a pathway to zero-emission shipping. Our innovation programmes have supported the development of hydrogen technology, such as the ‘Hydroflex’ train, and continue to provide funding opportunities for innovative environmental projects. These trials may provide a springboard for industry growth and commercial exploitation. In support of the Clean Maritime Plan (2019) the Department has published research into the economic opportunities afforded by the transition to alternative fuels in shipping, and has undertaken an assessment of uptake scenarios for such fuels, including hydrogen and hydrogen carriers.

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