Tuesday, February 14, 2012
UKH2Mobility to prepare for hydrogen fuel roll-out
A new project will assess the viability of plans to commercially roll-out hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in the UK.
Heralded as "ground breaking", UKH2Mobility will evaluate the potential of hydrogen to act as the primary fuel for Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles, before developing a plan for the commercial implementation of the fuel in 2014/2015.
The programme is set to analyse the UK’s preparedness for the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles on a commercial scale, as one solution to decarbonise road transport.
UKH2Mobility will also review the investments required to commercialise the technology, including implemented refuelling infrastructure and encouraging uptake of the new vehicles.
Ideas to help the UK to become a worldwide leader in Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicle manufacturing will also be considered, to facilitate the country’s wider economic regeneration.
Minister for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk commented at the launch of UKH2Mobility: "The UK is proving itself to be a key early market for ultra-low emission vehicles with growing numbers of electric and plug-in hybrids appearing on our roads.
"The government is supporting this market by investing £400 million to support the development, demonstration and deployment of these vehicles."
UKH2Mobility brings together the government and industrial participants from the utility, gas, infrastructure and global car manufacturing sectors to boost the recognition of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as viable options for a low carbon future.
"They are highly efficient, can be fuelled in minutes, travel an equivalent range to a conventional combustion engine, and have zero tail-pipe emissions," Mr Prisk said.
Thus far, some 13 industry participants have got involved in the scheme, including Johnson Matthey PLC and Nissan Motoring Manufacturing (UK) Limited, and have signed the Memorandum of Understanding.
Results of the evaluation are expected at the end of 2012, to allow for plans to get underway for the commercial roll-out of the vehicles as soon as possible.
However, until then companies across the country will be trialling hydrogen fuel, with Marks and Spencer launching its first experiment with hydrogen-powered vehicles for transporting and loading goods to its distribution centres.
Teaming up with energy, storage and clean fuel company ITM Power, a six-week pilot project was announced at the superstore’s Prologis Park Distribution Centre, which is already equipped with infrastructure to support a battery powered fleet.
The materials handling market has been recognised as a key early adopter of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, to show industry the value of Ultra-Low Carbon technology.
In a report into the adoption of low carbon vehicles in the UK, the Automotive Council found that while manufacturers will implement technologies that correspond with their brand values and market sectors, hydrogen fuel could have a "significant" impact on average fleet emissions.
However, this will be dependent on the availability of battery, motor and power electronics technology with "high power density, high energy density, and low cost". Infrastructure provision will also be key in encouraging fleets to switch to hydrogen fuel.
According to Dr Ben Lane of Next Green Car, there is already "a lot of work-ongoing in the UK" to build the infrastructure for hydrogen cars. Specifically, a number of projects are taking place to transform the M4 into the UK’s “hydrogen highway”.
"Most of the infrastructure that has been developed has been done so along that corridor," he explained.
The results of UKH2Mobility will have a major effect on UK transport businesses and green fleet management.
Heralded as "ground breaking", UKH2Mobility will evaluate the potential of hydrogen to act as the primary fuel for Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles, before developing a plan for the commercial implementation of the fuel in 2014/2015.
The programme is set to analyse the UK’s preparedness for the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles on a commercial scale, as one solution to decarbonise road transport.
UKH2Mobility will also review the investments required to commercialise the technology, including implemented refuelling infrastructure and encouraging uptake of the new vehicles.
Ideas to help the UK to become a worldwide leader in Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicle manufacturing will also be considered, to facilitate the country’s wider economic regeneration.
Minister for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk commented at the launch of UKH2Mobility: "The UK is proving itself to be a key early market for ultra-low emission vehicles with growing numbers of electric and plug-in hybrids appearing on our roads.
"The government is supporting this market by investing £400 million to support the development, demonstration and deployment of these vehicles."
UKH2Mobility brings together the government and industrial participants from the utility, gas, infrastructure and global car manufacturing sectors to boost the recognition of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as viable options for a low carbon future.
"They are highly efficient, can be fuelled in minutes, travel an equivalent range to a conventional combustion engine, and have zero tail-pipe emissions," Mr Prisk said.
Thus far, some 13 industry participants have got involved in the scheme, including Johnson Matthey PLC and Nissan Motoring Manufacturing (UK) Limited, and have signed the Memorandum of Understanding.
Results of the evaluation are expected at the end of 2012, to allow for plans to get underway for the commercial roll-out of the vehicles as soon as possible.
However, until then companies across the country will be trialling hydrogen fuel, with Marks and Spencer launching its first experiment with hydrogen-powered vehicles for transporting and loading goods to its distribution centres.
Teaming up with energy, storage and clean fuel company ITM Power, a six-week pilot project was announced at the superstore’s Prologis Park Distribution Centre, which is already equipped with infrastructure to support a battery powered fleet.
The materials handling market has been recognised as a key early adopter of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, to show industry the value of Ultra-Low Carbon technology.
In a report into the adoption of low carbon vehicles in the UK, the Automotive Council found that while manufacturers will implement technologies that correspond with their brand values and market sectors, hydrogen fuel could have a "significant" impact on average fleet emissions.
However, this will be dependent on the availability of battery, motor and power electronics technology with "high power density, high energy density, and low cost". Infrastructure provision will also be key in encouraging fleets to switch to hydrogen fuel.
According to Dr Ben Lane of Next Green Car, there is already "a lot of work-ongoing in the UK" to build the infrastructure for hydrogen cars. Specifically, a number of projects are taking place to transform the M4 into the UK’s “hydrogen highway”.
"Most of the infrastructure that has been developed has been done so along that corridor," he explained.
The results of UKH2Mobility will have a major effect on UK transport businesses and green fleet management.
DATED: 14.02.12
FEED: HC
