The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has warned that hydrogen won’t be a viable option for decarbonising van fleets for at least a decade…
Hydrogen Unsuitable for Vans
The AFP has warned fleet decision-makers that hydrogen remains an unsuitable means of decarbonising vans; and that there are few signs of anything changing for at least a decade. The warning comes as a number of fleets hold off on decarbonisation in order to see whether hydrogen might function well in battery electric vehicles.
Fleets holding out on decarbonisation are usually concerned that electric vans may struggle to perform. Usually, fears concern things like range-anxiety, a shortage of charging infrastructure (perceived or otherwise) and payload capacities. Hydrogen, in theory, may not suffer from these limitations. However, it’s notable that there are currently just a dozen or so hydrogen refueling stations in the UK. Crucially, there are no strategies in place to rollout more, either.
‘No Sign of Change’
Paul Hollick, chairman of the AFP, commented on the situation. He said, “we’ve discussed this topic at some length at every level of the AFP and our conclusions are clear. Electric is effectively the only option when it comes to the future of zero emissions vans in the UK for at least the next decade. Hydrogen is simply not happening in any meaningful way and there is no real sign of that situation changing”.
He continued, “the facts are that the hydrogen fuelling infrastructure barely exists, availability of vehicles is limited in the extreme and those that are available are very expensive. Apart from the introduction of one hydrogen van over the next year, we are seeing only minimal levels of investment in the fuel and certainly not on anything like the scale that would be required for widespread, rapid adoption”.
Hollick concluded that there are few signs of things improving in the UK. He said, “elsewhere, such as in Germany, there is significant state support for the expansion of hydrogen but government commitment here is low. It is clear that as far as the vast majority of road transport is concerned, our politicians see electric as the future. Fleets waiting for hydrogen to emerge as a realistic alternative are almost certainty set for disappointment”.
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