The Government has launched a new strategy and outlined plans to create a hydrogen economy that could help to deliver the UK’s net zero goals, unlock £4bn investment, and create thousands of jobs.
The announcement from the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy saw the launch of the UK’s first-ever Hydrogen Strategy alongside a series of proposals outlined in three new consultations:
BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney welcomed the announcement:
“Although the role of hydrogen in transport decarbonisation is not yet clear, this new Hydrogen Strategy is a welcome sign of the Government’s commitment to exploring how this fuel can be used.
“This is good news, particularly for commercial vehicle operators, who are only two fleet cycles away from a possible 2035 HGV non-zero-emission sales ban. Time is short and although we welcome the investment in hydrogen trials, fleets need to see a clear roadmap to create the right environment to give them confidence to invest.
“The BVRLA will continue to work closely with Government as progress is made throughout the exploratory, policymaking and testing phases of hydrogen development.”
With government analysis suggesting that 20-35% of the UK’s energy consumption by 2050 could be hydrogen-based, this new energy source could be critical to meet the UK’s targets of net zero emissions by 2050 and cutting emissions by 78% by 2035 – a view shared by the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee.
A UK-wide hydrogen economy could be worth £900 million and create over 9,000 high-quality jobs by 2030, potentially rising to 100,000 jobs and worth up to £13 billion by 2050.
The BVRLA Fleets in Charge webinar taking place on Wednesday 18 August is also looking beyond electric to hear from expert speakers about the role that hydrogen can play in road transport decarbonisation and what support will be needed for fleets.
