A Honda FCX Clarity being refuelled with hydrogen at the firm's Swindon HQ
The UK government wants to help kick-start hydrogen fuel cells as a viable alternative to petrol-glugging motors.
Kate Warren, who deals with hydrogen and supply chains at the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, said the government is aiming for “fifteen publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling stations by the end of 2015.”
Warren was speaking at the launch of the Britain’s first commercial scale solar-powered hydrogen production and refuelling facility at Honda’s UK HQ in Swindon earlier today.
Hydrogen fuel cells are an alternative energy source that offers zero emissions, making them far more eco-friendly than standard internal combustion engines.
While it’s still early days for hydrogen fuel cells, Warren told event-goers that Whitehall is keen to boost the tech.
“The UK government has a vision of the UK at the forefront of design, development, manufacturing, and use of ultra low emission vehicles,” she said.
“The UK has a strong automotive sector, of which this Honda plant is clearly an example.”
Warren noted however that the Office for LEVs didn’t want to put all of its eggs in hydrogen’s basket, warning: “It’s very important the government doesn’t try and pick a winner at this stage.”
Honda launched its own hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Honda FCX Clarity, back in 2008, which has been publicly trialled over in the USA.
Honda revealed to TrustedReviews that the hydrogen needed to power the car would price up at around £5 per kilogram.
On average, the car runs for around 60 miles for every kilo of hydrogen, with roughly 360 miles of travel promised on a full tank.
Jason Smith, one of Honda’s directors, said that the car firm wants to ‘focus [its] resources on addressing climate change.”
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