Revitalising hydrogen refuelling infrastructure

In recent years, the UK has faced challenges with its transportation infrastructure, and hydrogen refuelling stations are no exception. There are currently six hydrogen refuelling stations open in the UK, down from 10 just two years ago. Clearly, this does not paint a picture of the thriving, growing and essential industry the UK requires to bring down emissions associated with transport – which has been the highest polluting sector in the UK since 2016, accounting for more than a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

So, what can be done to bring this worrying trajectory to a halt? For one, we can bring an end to the debate around hydrogen vs electrification. In a recent interview, representatives from Ineos criticised the government for backing a single horse in this debate, stating that this would ultimately lead the strategy to fail. It is Hydrogen UK’s view that electrification and hydrogen will complement each other in order to achieve a low-carbon transport future, and ignoring the very real benefits of one solution will only hinder the progress of the entire industry.

In terms of supporting the hydrogen side of decarbonising transport, there are tangible steps that can be taken to ensure that the industry succeeds, and in turn, the UK reaps the associated benefits.