A hydrogen refuelling station is to be built on a London forecourt of an un-named “major global fuel retailer”, with proposals for a further roll-out.
ITM Power, an energy storage and clean fuel company, revealed the plans as it announced that it had been awarded a total of £2.89m by the Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) Infrastructure Grants Scheme, run by the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).
The award is to build two new HRSs in London, sited with strategic partners, and for the upgrading of four existing ITM Power refuelling stations.
In its announcement ITM said: “One of the new stations will be built on the forecourt of a major global fuel retailer. ITM Power has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the retailer to build initially up to three HRSs in London and will be seeking funding support for at least one more station. The MoU also allows for further development of the collaboration in the UK.”
ITM Power has also been awarded £1m for upgrades to four existing HRSs. This includes three in London under development as part of the HyFive project and one in Rotherham, just off the M1 at junction 33. This strategic refuelling location will allow users to travel between London and the north of England.
Charles Purkess, ITM’s marketing and PR manager, said that the use of hydrogen cars in the UK had been held back by the lack of infrastructure, but there were already Hyundai ix35s deployed in the UK, with further roll-out expected as the infrastructure provision develops, and Toyota has launched the Mirai and will begin to sell this in Europe in mid-2015.
Dr Graham Cooley, CEO, ITM Power, commented: “The funding for these new refuelling stations in London, coupled with partnering a major global fuel retailer are both important steps in the roll out of Hydrogen mobility in the UK. By the beginning of 2016 ITM Power will own and operate six HRS in the UK, centred on London.”
No comments yet