£23 million funding boost for the uptake of hydrogen vehicles

A £23 million fund to increase the uptake of hydrogen vehicles and roll out more infrastructure has been announced by the government.

Hydrogen fuel providers will get the opportunity to bid for funding in partnership with organisations that produce hydrogen vehicles, in order to help build a “high-tech infrastructure” including fuel stations.

A competition will be launched in the summer and will welcome proposals from public organisations, businesses and hydrogen operators.

The government will also provide match funding for successful bidders as part of plans to cut carbon emissions, improve air quality and deliver economic opportunities for the UK.

Transport Minister John Hayes said: “The transition to zero emission road transport is both inevitable and desirable as it will improve air quality in many of our towns and cities.

“Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles can play a vital role alongside battery electric vehicles to help us cut harmful emissions.”

Hayes added: “We know availability of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure can be a potential obstacle to the take up of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

“That’s why we’re providing support to give interested parties the confidence to continue to invest in this new emerging technology to help us achieve our ambition for almost all new cars and vans to be zero emission by 2040.”