Business Minister Matthew Hancock has announced up to £11 million of funding to speed up the introduction of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the UK.
In partnership with industry, the Government hopes the investment will prepare the UK for the arrival of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) by helping to establish an initial network of 15 refuelling stations by the end of next year, as well as setting aside £2 million to fund the purchase of hydrogen-powered vehicles for use by the public sector.
The money is part of a Government drive for the UK to be a global leader in the use of ultra-low emission vehicles, and comes hot on the heels of the announcement by Toyota last week that it has chosen the UK to be one of the first markets for its forthcoming FCEV. The Government has already announced its intention that, by 2040, all new cars and vans sold in the UK will be ultra-low emission vehicles.
The £11 million sum will be met jointly by Government and industry, with £7.5 million coming from public funds and £3.5 million from private sources. £2 million of that will go on upgrading 6 to 8 existing hydrogen refuelling stations.
The announcement was made by Mr Hancock during a visit to Japan, where he met executives from hydrogen fuel cell pioneers Honda, Nissan, and Toyota. “Britain has become one of the best places in the world to build cars, with the value of those we export outstripping imports for the first time in a generation, but we want to go further," said Mr Hancock. "Hydrogen cars present us with a huge economic opportunity and can bolster our internationally renowned automotive industry. We want to make the UK one of the best places in the world to design, manufacture and sell ultra-low emission vehicles. Government will work in true partnership with industry so the potential benefits are realised by businesses and consumers across the UK."
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