Fleets should call on Government to boost hydrogen infrastructure – FleetCheck

Software specialist FleetCheck has encouraged fleets to call on the Government to match the EU’s targets on hydrogen infrastructure.

This came after BMW revealed that that it will not sell hydrogen models in the UK due to the lack of supporting infrastructure.

Peter Golding, CEO of FleetCheck, said: “We’re in a situation where an almost complete absence of infrastructure means we’re in danger of being left behind when it comes to hydrogen, even though there seems to be general agreement among fleets that it has a definite role to play in the future.

“It’s widely recognised, for example, that adoption of electric vans is much slower than originally anticipated and, as yet, there are no real answers to the problems that some fleets are experiencing in operational terms.

“There is already a potentially viable zero emissions alternative in the shape of Vauxhall’s new hydrogen van, which offers 250 miles of range and five-minute refuelling.

“However, unless you can afford to bunker fuel, it’s not a practical proposition owing to the lack of stations.”

The EU committed to building at least one hydrogen filling station per 120 miles of major road by 2030.

The UK currently has 16 hydrogen filling stations nationwide, while the Netherlands alone has 14, despite being a significantly smaller country.