Hydrogen vehicles challenging biofuels in the UK

A new competitor to biofuels may be creeping up from the left field in the form of hydrogen-powered vehicles, which are breaking into the UK market.

Arcola Energy, the UK’s hydrogen energy specialists, have sold or leased 32 of Renault’s Kangoo ZE-H2 electric vans with fuel cell range extender produced by Symbio FCell, making it the largest hydrogen vehicle fleet in the UK.

According to Arcola, the number means that UK fleets are realising the benefits of a hydrogen-fuelled transport solution with vehicles boasting a range of up to 250 miles, twice the previous range of comparable electric vehicles.

In partnership with ITM Power, an energy storage and clean fuel company, Arcola Energy delivers an integrated package of on-site fuel and after-sales support for UK commercial fleets.

Ben Todd, Arcola Energy’s MD, noted that one of the issues facing transport managers seeking a “truly zero-carbon solution” for their vehicle fleets has been the restricted range of battery-only electric vehicles.

“The [hydrogen] solution means that fleets can operate effectively either from a local base or via the network of hydrogen refuelling stations, which has been established across the country over the past few years and which continues to grow,” he said.

Steve Tindall, Arcola Energy’s national fleet managerm said: “A combination of increasing customer demand for zero-emission, extended-range vehicles and government-supported development of a comprehensive, UK-wide hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is seeing this ‘quiet revolution’ continue apace.”