Hydrogen – Helping the Government to go further on Air Quality
The Government today published a revised Draft Air Quality Plan in response to the ruling of the High Court that the 2015 Air Quality Plan failed to adequately deal with air pollution. The Government had sought to delay the publication of the plan until after the General Election in June however another court ruling meant that they were forced to publish prior to the vote. Client Earth, the group of environmental lawyers who initiated the legal action that forced the Government to develop a new plan, have expressed their disappointment at a “weak” plan with very few new actions outlined.
In the revised plan the Government sets out its strategy for tackling the problem of air pollution. As part of this strategy the Government recognises that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can contribute to reducing emissions in urban centres alongside battery electric vehicles. The plan includes the £23 million funding support for hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell vehicles previously announced by the Department for Transport. It also references the current £2 million OLEV fund for fuel cell vehicles and previous funding for hydrogen refuelling stations.
Clare Jackson, Hydrogen Hub Manager said:
The Hydrogen Hub welcomes the inclusion of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles alongside battery electric vehicles as key measures for improving air quality in urban centres. We recognise that there are still further improvements to be made and look forward to working with the Government to go further to capitalise on the opportunities offered by both fuel cell electric vehicles and stationary fuel cells.
For more information please see www.hydrogenhub.org or contact Clare Jackson at clare.jackson@hydrogenhub.org
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Notes to editor
- The Hydrogen Hub is an industry-led community of stakeholders from across the hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain, Government, local authorities, businesses and current and potential users.
- The Executive Members provide strategic direction, set Hydrogen Hub priorities and take a leadership role in the development of projects in the Local Hydrogen Hubs. They also make up the members of the National Hydrogen Hub which work with the Government to shape energy and transportation policy in the UK.
- Hydrogen vehicles can be quickly refuelled using a pump like a conventional petrol or diesel car, but instead use gas. They produce only water as a by-product and have a range of around 300 miles per tank, like conventional vehicles.