The Government will invest £6.6 million in a network of 12 hydrogen refuelling stations to increase the use of fuel cell vehicles in the UK.

Seven new hydrogen projects have been given the green light:

  • ITM Power: two new hydrogen refuelling stations in Brentford and Croydon and four upgrades to Sheffield and London stations.

  • Air Products: two upgrades to existing stations in Hatton Cross and Hendon, and one upgrade to a mobile refuelling station to support conferences and test drives of fuel cell vehicles.

  • Fuel Cell Systems: one new mobile station based in Southern UK.

  • University of South Wales: one upgrade to an existing station in Port Talbot.

  • Honda UK: one upgrade to an existing station in Swindon.

Hyundai, which began UK deliveries of its ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle last year, has welcomed the news.

Tony Whitehorn, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor UK, said: “The additional stations and package of upgrades will make fuel cell vehicles a viable option for more fleet and private customers.

“As the first global carmaker to begin UK delivers of Fuel Cell passenger cars in 2014, Hyundai welcomes this investment which will support the rollout of hydrogen technology to additional customers.”

Air Products, ITM Power, Johnson Matthey and Transport for London were among the first organisations to take delivery of ix35 Fuel Cell in October 2014, with further customer deliveries imminent.

Hyundai is part of a number of collaborative projects promoting the adoption of fuel cell vehicles in the UK. These include:

  • London’s Hydrogen Network Expansion (LHNE), a project backed by Innovate, and Hydrogen For Innovative Vehicles (HyFIVE).

  • HyTEC, which alongside HyFIVE is funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU).

  • The UKH2 Mobility project that has played a key part in advising Government.