S6W-27885

Asked by: Regan, Ash (Alba Party - Edinburgh Eastern)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions (a) it and (b) its agencies have had with (i) the UK Government, (ii) local authorities, (ii) devolved nations and (iv) other countries on the purchase of hydrogen buses manufactured in Scotland.

Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport

The Scottish Government participates in the UK Hydrogen Propulsion Manufacturing Taskforce. The taskforce works to develop recommendations on how government and industry can maximise investment opportunities for the UK manufacturing of hydrogen propulsion systems. This has included reference to the opportunities for hydrogen fuel cell buses. The taskforce has been paused during the pre-election period for the UK general election.

As set out in our Hydrogen Action Plan, hydrogen in the transport sector could act as a complementary energy alongside battery electrification, providing an option to parts of the transport sector such as heavy duty vehicles, when battery electrification is challenging. However, it is up to individual bus operating companies to determine what type of zero emission vehicles best suits their particular circumstances, and for manufacturers to respond to that demand in the way that they think is most appropriate.

S6W-27886

Asked by: Regan, Ash (Alba Party - Edinburgh Eastern)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the £4.65 million awarded through the Energy Transition Fund to Aberdeen City Council to expand its hydrogen bus fleet was used to purchase hydrogen buses that were manufactured in Scotland.

Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport

Hydrogen fuel cell buses in Aberdeen supported by grant funding from the Scottish Government were not manufactured in Scotland. State aid and subsequent subsidy control rules mean that grant conditions could not specify which vehicle supplier the bus operator should use.

S6W-27888

Asked by: Regan, Ash (Alba Party - Edinburgh Eastern)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Scotland-based manufacturers on (a) the manufacture and (b) marketing in (i) the UK and (ii) international markets of hydrogen buses manufactured in Scotland.

Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport

Through Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government has regular discussions with Scotland-based vehicle manufacturers, including bus manufacturers, about opportunities for hydrogen fuel cell and other types of zero emission vehicles in the UK and international markets.

Mentions:
1: Lumsden, Douglas (Con - North East Scotland) hardship.Many companies that are investing in opportunities such as floating offshore wind, carbon capture and hydrogen - Speech Link
2: Boyack, Sarah (Lab - Lothian) infrastructure that we urgently need for the green economy, such as ports, industrial hubs and green hydrogen - Speech Link
3: McArthur, Liam (LD - Orkney Islands) our island economy and community for almost half a century, it might involve a transition to a green hydrogen - Speech Link

Correspondence Jun. 04 2024

Found: • Bath treatments including azamethiphos, highly diluted Hydrogen Peroxide (less than 10% of the

Report May. 31 2024

Found: Fares Review and bus travel; •Electric vehicle charging point infrastructure; •Implementation of the Hydrogen