A NEW Hydrogen Hub was opened today at Said Business School, Oxford.
The UK Hydrogen Hub seeks to drive investment in hydrogen and fuel cell innovation by shaping the energy and transportation policy in the UK.
As well as providing hydrogen refuelling facilities, the Oxford Hydrogen Hub will help develop projects locally to meet the requirements of local businesses.
The Hydrogen Hub launched in Swindon and Wiltshire in January 2016 and has since driven over £1.5 million of external investment in hydrogen and fuel cell projects in the region with over 50 different organisations participating in working groups and projects.
At the launch were two hydrogen vehicles, the Hyundai Ix35 Fuel Cell and the Toyota Mirai.
As Oxford looks towards introducing the UK’s first zero emission zone in 2020, the development of emission free hydrogen fuel cell technology will help play a key part in the city’s ambitious plans.
Paul Marchment, SME Manager at Arval, and a member of the Hydrogen Hub, said:
“Arval has been members of the Hydrogen Hub since 2016, leading on the Hub’s hydrogen vehicle programme. We consider hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to be an important technology that will play a key role in the decarbonisation of transport.
“Through the Hydrogen Hub we are now leasing fuel cell vehicles to local businesses and learning about this technology. We are delighted that the Hydrogen Hub is launching in Oxfordshire and look forward to supporting the roll-out of vehicles across the county “
Susan Halliwell, Director for Planning & Place, Oxfordshire County Council, added:
“Oxfordshire County Council are committed to a supporting the development of a low carbon future across the county.
“Hydrogen technologies have a key role to play in realising this future, providing a pathway to cost effective clean energy.
“We are pleased to be partnering with the Hydrogen Hub to launch the Oxfordshire Hydrogen Hub and look forward to working together to drive investment in this important technology.”
Read more about Oxford’s plans for a zero emission zone
Click here to read the Editor’s Blog on What should business car managers make of Oxford’s world first Zero Emission Zone?
