U.K. Plans Hydrogen Cars by 2015

Think's Nordic Hydrogen car

The U.K. government this week unveiled a wide-ranging plan to put hydrogen cars on the road by 2015. Plans by the nation’s ministers, with heavy cooperation from several large car makers, will be worked out during calendar 2012 to develop an action plan by the end of the year. Government spokespersons call the plan UK H2 Mobility, and is has gotten backing from entities like Hyundai, Daimler, Toyota, and GM.

The challenge facing hydrogen vehicles in the U.K. is almost a carbon copy of the hurdles seen by the electric car market just a decade ago, namely how to make the manufacturing process economically rewarding and how to build a refueling infrastructure. The government’s role, according to the nation’s minister for business and enterprise, is to provide the impetus for commercial viability by “taking the risk” out of the entire process. That likely means that the ministry intends to provide financial backing for at least some parts of the plan.

If this story sounds familiar, it is. Not long ago, the state of California, as well as the national governments of Germany and Japan began a similar effort. The U.K.’s advantage in this latest program is sheer size, and clout. Bringing together the automakers was one thing, but the ministers have also reeled in one of the world’s biggest gas firms, Air Liquide, the utility Scottish and Southern Energy, as well as a global giant in the manufacture of catalytic converters, Johnson Matthey. Even India’s largest player in the auto business, Tata Motors, was brought into the plan.

The U.K. has been pursuing an alternative energy blueprint for transportation that emphasizes diversity of fuels. So far, the government has made commitments to back the development of electric, fuel cell, natural gas, and hybrid vehicles. In addition, the ministry of transportation provides large tax and rebate incentives for buyers of alternative fuel cars, trucks, and vans.

For more information about the plan, see the official government press release here: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=422877&NewsAreaID=2

A Ford hydrogen fuel cell car

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…