Member Article

UKH2Mobility launches to boost green vehicle industry

The Business Minister Mark Prisk has formally announced the national roll out of a new project to boost the UK Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles industry.

UKH2Mobility will evaluate the potential for hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles in the UK, prior to the development of an action plan for a 2014/15 roll out to customers.

The project aims to analyse the case for the introduction of hydrogen fuel electric vehicles as a solution to decarbonisation, while also reviewing the investments which will be needed to commericalise the technology. It will also identify what is require to make the UK a leading global player in this area, paving the way for new economic opportunities.

Speaking at the launch of UKH2Mobility Mark Prisk said: “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 £400million to support the development, demonstration and deployment of these vehicles.”

Hydrogen fuel vehicles are increasingly being recognised as one of the more viable options as we move into a low carbon vehicle future. The UK is already home a to a number of world-class companies which are developing exciting new technologies in both the hydrogen energy and automotive value chains.

Jerry Hardcastle, Vice-President for Vehicle Design and Development at Nissan said: “This is an important step for the automotive sector towards the development of clean vehicle technologies and zero emission mobility.

“It will lay many of the foundations for the commercial deployment of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles which could represent a large segment of the UK market in the coming years.

“With this comprehensive list of partners we can be assured to have all the knowledge necessary to make UKH2 Mobility an exhaustive and credible study.”

UKH2Mobility will deliver its evaluation of the potential of hydrogen as a transport fuel by the end of 2012. If the results are positive, an action plan will be developed to work through the steps needed to get the UK ready to be one of the first markets for the global commercial roll out of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .