UK H2Mobility Welcomes the Greater London Authority, Welsh Government and Transport Scotland as New Project Members
The Greater London Authority, Welsh Government and Transport Scotland are the latest organisations to join UK H2Mobility, a national project in which industry leaders and Government are working together to realise the benefits of hydrogen-fuelled road transport.
The new partners will strengthen the project’s national reach and its ability to develop a viable, co-ordinated roadmap for maximising the potential of hydrogen fuel as a zero-carbon transport solution.
Each of the new members plays a key role in planning, developing and administering transport infrastructures serving millions of people. Their experience, insights and responsibilities will be of great value as UK H2Mobility continues its second phase of work with the development of a co-ordinated business plan to harness the potential of hydrogen fuel for UK business and transport.
Already the project has identified the opportunities and the challenges that need to be met in order for hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) to become a viable proposition for UK transport. In phase one of the project it has shown how, with the right investment and refuelling infrastructure in place, by 2030 there could be 1.6 million FCEVs on the UK’s roads, delivering a significant reduction in carbon emissions and further, tangible societal and business benefits.
Transport Scotland is committed to working closely with all partners in the UK H2Mobility project to realise the potential for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles to decarbonise transport, maximise Scotland’s renewable energy potential and create new economic opportunities for Scottish businesses.
Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown said:
"We are delighted to be part of the UK H2Mobility Partnership. Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles offer the potential to contribute to the decarbonisation of Scotland’s road transport sector, something to which the Scottish Government is firmly committed. The Scottish Government has already provided support for the Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project and is also taking forward a range of other activity to promote the uptake of electric vehicles, as set out in our recent publication, Switched On Scotland.”
The Welsh Government takes a proactive role in the development of the Low Carbon Vehicle sector in Wales to maximise the sector’s opportunities for growth and jobs.
Welsh Government Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart said:
"The Welsh Government is committed to supporting the development of this sector to ensure businesses, technology organisations and academic institutions currently focussed on new automotive technologies in Wales will be in pole position to take advantage of all opportunities as the sector grows and matures."
"I am pleased the Welsh Government has joined the UK H2Mobility programme at such an important time as it aims to develop an action plan for the roll out of hydrogen infrastructure in 2014/15."
The Greater London Authority is focused on delivering the Mayor’s innovative ‘smart’ low carbon low emission transport system. Hydrogen-powered transport has the potential to deliver business, transport and environmental benefits for London, and why the Mayor and Greater London Authority are making a demonstrable contribution to UK H2Mobility.
Kit Malthouse, Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise said:
"The era of petrol and diesel is coming to an end; the age of the Hydrogen is dawning. We are getting London ready for this massive step forward in propulsion technology by supporting business to put fuel on the ground, and consumers to buy zero emission vehicles. From the horse, to the internal combustion engine, to the fuel cell, London has been at the forefront of mobility advances through the centuries and that is where we want to stay."
