A government minister has predicted hydrogen vehicles will make a huge contribution to the UK’s commitment to greener transport.

Opening a new hydrogen refuelling station in London, Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “We are committed to making all cars and vans zero-emission by 2050, and hydrogen vehicles have a huge role to play in delivering cleaner, greener journeys.

“The new refuelling station at Teddington is just one of 12 stations opening up this year, backed by £5m of government funding, that will make it easier for more people to switch to this exciting new technology.”

Jones also announced a £2m government fund to support the roll-out of hydrogen vehicles in public and private sector fleets.

ITM Power launched its first public access hydrogen refuelling station in London at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, supported by Hyundai, Toyota, Honda and Renault partner Symbio FCell.

The station is the first of three UK stations to be deployed as part of the pan European HyFive project, which was funded by the European Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCHJU) and the UK Government Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).

Commissioning teams from ITM Power and BOC Linde will now move on to commission and open a further four electrolyser-based refuelling stations in and around London before the end of 2016.

Paul Van der Burgh, Toyota (GB) president and managing director, said: “The opening of ITM Power’s new filling station is an excellent example of how a coordinated hydrogen fuel infrastructure is successfully being developed in the UK.”

Tony Whitehorn, Hyundai Motor UK’s president and CEO, said: “It’s very encouraging to see the infrastructure growing, making it even more feasible for businesses and consumers to own and run zero-emission fuel cell vehicles. This is very timely, supporting the growing interest and sales of the iX35 Fuel Cell car, and Hyundai Motor Group’s plan to bring to market two new fuel cell vehicles by 2020.”