The UK Department for Transport is launching a £2 million scheme to encourage uptake of hydrogen-fuelled electric vehicles for commercial fleets.
Companies and organisations can apply for funding of up to 75% of the cost of new eco-friendly vehicles when bought by April 2017, and they have until Monday 4th of July to submit applications. Aside from the environmental benefits from a huge reduction in vehicle emissions, this alternative fuel costs a lot less per mile than petrol or diesel.
The Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Fleet Support Scheme aims to add up to 100 hydrogen-fuelled cars onto Britain’s roads within a year, which would triple the current figure. Two years ago the government committed £5 million to install 12 hydrogen refuelling stations, a target which will be complete by the end of 2016.
Vision
Transport Minister Andrew Jones is working towards making this a national network.
“Hydrogen fuel cells are an important part of our vision for almost all cars and vans to be zero-emission by 2050. This funding is further proof that we are leading the way in making journeys cleaner and protecting the environment.” The comparison between these electric vehicles and those running on petrol or diesel is based around emissions. It’s no surprise that conventional cars emit carbon and other pollutants, whilst the only by-product of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles is pure water vapour. The market is still embryonic for applicable models of car, but Japanese and Korean manufacturers are embracing this as part of their product development. The Toyota Mirai and Hyundai’s iX35 Fuel Cell are already on sale in the UK and the government hopes that these recent waves of funding will create some momentum in the market.
Companies and organisations wishing to take part in the FCEV Fleet Support scheme need to submit their application by Monday 4th of July 2016.
