MPs report says hydrogen has limited potential and EVs have unassailable lead

A report by MPs into future use of hydrogen suggests electric cars have an “unassailable” lead in the market but it could help to decarbonise some transport applications.

Hydrogen is not a panacea for reaching the net zero emissions by 2050 but can grow to become “a big niche” fuel in particular sectors and applications, the Commons Science and Technology Committee concludes in its new report.

The cross-party committee argues that hydrogen is likely to have a “specific but limited” role in decarbonising sectors, for example where electrification is not possible, and as a means of storing energy.

The report urges the government to give the industry more clarity over how and when it will make decisions about the role of hydrogen in the UK economy.

The committee concludes that hydrogen is not likely to be practically and economically viable for mass use in the short and medium term for fuelling passenger cars due to the significant cost, technological and infrastructure challenges associated, as well as the “unassailable” market lead held by alternatives such as electric cars.

However, the committee says hydrogen has strong potential in parts of transport that are harder to electrify, such as bus networks which have a local pattern of operations susceptible to refuelling at depots.

Committee chair Greg Clark said: “Hydrogen can play an important role in decarbonising the UK’s economy, but it is not a panacea.

“There are significant infrastructure challenges associated with converting our energy networks to use hydrogen and uncertainty about when low-carbon hydrogen can be produced at scale at an economical cost.

“But there are important applications for hydrogen in particular industries so it can be, in the words of one witness to our inquiry, “a big niche”.

“We welcome the government’s high-level strategy and support of hydrogen trials, but future decisions on the role of hydrogen must increasingly be practical, taking into account what is technically and economically achievable. We call on the government to set out a series of decision points, which would give industry the clarity that it needs.”