Public and private sector fleets will be able to get 75% off the cost of zero-emission vehicles as part of a new £2m Government fund designed to encourage more businesses to switch to hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.
The Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Fleet Support Scheme was launched today (10 May) by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).
Part of plans to make nearly every vehicle in the country zero-emission by 2050, the scheme will allow local authorities, health trusts, police forces, fire brigades and private companies to bid for funding to add hydrogen-powered vehicles to their fleets.
The money will cover up to 75% of the cost of new vehicles bought by next April (2017), as well as the cost of running them for up to three years. Support will also be available for the leasing or renting of vehicles, insurance, hydrogen fuel and servicing.
Last week (7 May) it was announced that the University of Birmingham, home to the Centre for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research, had taken a delivery of one of the UK’s first hydrogen fuel cell fleet vehicles, the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell. (pictured)
The Government hopes the fund will bring up to 100 more hydrogen fuel cell cars and vans onto the roads by next spring – the equivalent of tripling the number of vehicles currently in use.
Andrew Jones, transport secretary, said: “We are always looking at new ways to make the vehicles of the future cleaner, and hydrogen fuel cells are an important part of our vision for almost all cars and vans to be zero-emission by 2050.
“This funding, along with the growing network of hydrogen refuelling stations opening in England, will help businesses and the public sector to get on board with this exciting technology. This is further proof that we are leading the way in making journeys cleaner and protecting the environment.”
Absolutely Martin, re-fueling infrastructure is vital. Still, with the fuel cell car subsidy I could afford to run a nice old XK8 V8 Jaguar convertible at weekends.
Pat, Wales
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Hydrogen cars are a bad idea, as they will keep drivers shackled to designated refueling stations and force them to pay fixed prices for fuel. Electric cars are much more independent, and in combination with solar panels much cheaper to refuel / recharge.
Wandering Dutchman UK
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£2m seems a pittance. Leasing green cars would make more sense, as second hand value £0 as technology changes too fast. Install recharging points at home, work, or (lobby) supermarket: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic-chargepoint-funding
Wandering Dutchman UK
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To answer your question Pat….
If my authority had fuel cell cars, the nearest refuelling station for me would be Stanstead Airport (just over 50 miles away). However the website says it is currently not in service! Like electric vehicles, we badly need better infrastructure.
Martin, Suffolk
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With around £20,000 subsidy for each of the early adopters, courtesy of the taxpayer, why would anyone not want a fuel cell car for shorter journeys? The offer is likely to be over subscribed!
Pat, Wales
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