Wales and West Utilities has taken delivery of First Hydrogen’s fuel-cell van with trials now under way.

The hydrogen-powered vehicle (FCEV) is operating from the energy provider’s Swansea depot, as part of a fleet of 1,300 vehicles, which are deployed across Wales and the south-west of England.

The FCEV will support network engineers to make customer call outs and undertake repair and maintenance work.

The trials are supported by green hydrogen producer, Protium Green Solutions and hydrogen services company, Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions, which will help develop a hydrogen ecosystem to support fleet operations. 

Stephen Offley, transport manager at Wales and West Utilities (WWU), said: “We are delighted to begin testing First Hydrogen’s vehicle in a front-line role and to experience the benefits of a hydrogen-powered vehicle within our fleet.

“The current light commercial electric vehicle market does not offer a full solution for the operational needs of WWU and similar businesses.

“Current battery electric vehicles do not provide the range, fast recharging time, payload capacity and towing ability we require. They are also unsuitable for the installation of ‘on board power’ to power pneumatic equipment and high-current electric tools on site, which is critical for the operation of our network. Lack of suitable recharging infrastructure also poses a challenge.

“We see hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as First Hydrogen’s FCEV as the potential zero emission solution that will meet our fleet’s future needs.”

The trials commenced with training for WWU’s drivers, enabling them to safely operate the vehicle and understand its technical differences.

While completing First Hydrogen’s driver training accreditation scheme, WWU’s drivers performed manoeuvres with the vehicle and completed a call out to a customer’s residence.

Importantly, the drivers also practised refuelling the vehicle with green hydrogen, supplied by Protium Green Solutions, at Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions’ refuelling unit.

Until now, First Hydrogen’s FCEV trials have been located near existing hydrogen fuel stations. This trial will demonstrate how partnerships can develop refuelling in areas that lack infrastructure.

Using Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions’ refuelling service and green H2 fuel from Protium Green Solutions, enables WWU to refuel close to its depot in Swansea rather than travelling to a public station.

Successful refuelling trials with First Hydrogen’s FCEV, Hyppo’s unit and Protium’s renewable hydrogen took place in December 2023. 

The green hydrogen supplied from Protium’s Pioneer 1 site in Wales is produced by electrolysis using renewable power. Pioneer 1 has been operational since early 2023 and the hydrogen it produces has already been used in several transport trials.

Protium will have Pioneer 2, a second, significantly larger electrolyser, operational later in 2024 to meet the growing demand for green hydrogen.  

Steve Gill, CEO of automotive at First Hydrogen, said: “It is great to see Wales & West Utilities’ enthusiasm to start trials and we are eager for them to test the vehicle within routine fleet operations.

“Our FCEV has clear benefits for utility businesses, such as WWU, and we’re keen to generate performance data during the trial that will further demonstrate how our vehicles can help decarbonise similar fleets while meeting everyday operational demands.

“This trial also pilots a hydrogen-as-a-service model to show operators how practically we can support their transition to FCEV fleets.

"With the support of Protium and Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions, we are building a green hydrogen fuel ecosystem for WWU, who are based in an area without access to fixed refuelling infrastructure.”

WWU engineers currently take their vans home to minimise driven mileage and maximise operational efficiency; however, relatively few engineers have access to off-street parking suitable for a van and the ability to charge a battery electric van at home.

Jon Constable, chief operating officer at Protium, said: “Demonstrating FCEVs in roles to which they are well suited, like fleet operations, is a key part of how we accelerate hydrogen deployment to meet our zero emission targets.

"It is always thrilling to see our green hydrogen, produced by electrolysis using renewable electricity, in use in the field.

"The next month will generate some fantastic data and we hope it will inspire other fleet operators to consider hydrogen.”

Fleet management business Rivus was the first company to carry out real-world testing of a prototype 3.5-tonne hydrogen fuel cell van from First Hydrogen and gave Fleet News exclusive access to its findings with an interview last year. 

Its studies have revealed several advantages compared to battery electric vans (BEVs), including improved payload, longer range, better efficiency and quicker refuelling.

SSE has also completed a four-week trial with the First Hydrogen fuel cell van. 

Offley said: “In demonstrating the practicalities of hydrogen, we want to inspire other industries and businesses in Wales and across the UK to view hydrogen as a realistic, operationally effective zero-emission solution.”