DfT announces £23m cash injection for hydrogen powered vehicles

The DfT has announced a new £23 million fund aimed at accelerating the take up of hydrogen vehicles and roll out more cutting-edge infrastructure.

Hydrogen fuel providers have been invited to bid for the funding in partnership with organisations that produce hydrogen vehicles to help build high-tech infrastructure, including fuel stations.

A competition will be launched this summer, and will invite proposals from public organisations, businesses and hydrogen operators. The government will provide match funding for successful bidders as part of its 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.

“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.”