Co-wheels and Aberdeen City Council expand car sharing programme

Aberdeen City Council and Co-wheels have added two hydrogen fuel cell Hyundai ix35 SUVs to its car sharing programme.

The cars, along with a number of other electric vehicles (EVs), will be available for the public and businesses to hire for short term use. Before being made accessible to the public, the cars are put through a number of tests.

The Hyundai ix35 posses similar levels of convenience and performance to conventional internal combustion cars, but will be fuelled using locally produced hydrogen. The Hyundai ix35’s will join a fleet of hydrogen-powered buses which are already operational in Aberdeen.

Councillor Barney Crocket, lead member for hydrogen, said: "Aberdeen is developing a reputation as a 'can-do' hydrogen city. The Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project, which attracted £21million of investment into the city, saw the deployment of Europe's largest hydrogen bus fleet on our streets.

"Aberdeen is renowned as an energy city and for being keen to drive forward new energy technologies and work with countries across the world to secure its future as an energy leader. With these cars, we are taking things to the next level, moving ever closer to becoming a world-leading renewables city and securing a hydrogen economy in Aberdeen, presenting tangible opportunities to the energy industry."

Richard Falconer, managing director of Co-wheels, said: "Co-wheels has always pioneered cleaner and greener travel options, and these hydrogen powered cars are another step toward improving air quality and reducing CO2 emissions in the city.

"We are delighted to be working with Aberdeen City Council to enable residents, council staff and local businesses access to this cutting-edge green driving technology."

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