For those who’re serious about different fuels and like the interior combustion engine (ICE) that comes with a hydrogen-powered automotive over their electrical automobile (EV) counterpart, you may be questioning whether or not you should buy a hydrogen-fuelled automobile within the UK.
On this weblog, we clarify in case you can, plus every part else that you must find out about hydrogen-powered autos.
What’s a hydrogen automotive?
A hydrogen automotive is one which’s powered by hydrogen as a substitute of petrol, diesel or electrical energy.
There are two most important sorts: a purely H2-fuelled automobile and a hydrogen gas cell electrical automobile (FCEV). Whereas the previous runs solely on hydrogen, so retains the familiarity of an ICE automobile, the latter powers an electrical motor utilizing hydrogen.
Fortunately even with the FCEV, you don’t must cost the battery as you’d with an EV, permitting you to nonetheless profit from the quicker refuelling occasions that hydrogen automobiles provide.
That being mentioned, such a hydrogen automobile doesn’t retain the identical acquainted noise as petrol or diesel automobiles, so if that’s an necessary a part of the ICE automobile expertise, we’d counsel you go for a automotive that’s solely powered by hydrogen.
Are there any hydrogen automobiles accessible within the UK?
There are at present two hydrogen-powered automobiles accessible within the UK: the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo SUV.
Toyota Mirai
Key specs at a look (second technology Mirai)
- Driving vary: Greater than 400 miles (WLTP estimate)
- Class: Mid-size luxurious automobile
- Physique type: 4-door sedan
- High velocity: 111mph
- Kind: Hydrogen gas cell electrical automobile (FCEV)
- Battery: 1.2kWh lithium-ion
- Euro NCAP security ranking: 5/5
We had the chance to get up close and personal with the Toyota Mirai a few years in the past and must say we loved the expertise rather a lot. The automotive was comfy, luxurious, quiet, and smooth – all of the issues you can ask for from one of many first hydrogen-fuelled autos to the touch UK soil.
The Mirai is an FCEV, but it surely’s nonetheless a fantastic alternative in case you’re pondering of constructing the swap quickly.
Hyundai Nexo SUV
Key specs at a look
- Driving vary: 414 miles (WLTP estimate)
- Class: Compact crossover SUV
- Physique type: 5-door SUV
- High velocity: 111.2mph
- Kind: Hydrogen gas cell automobile (FCEV)
- Euro NCAP security ranking: 5/5
For those who’re searching for a hydrogen automobile with extra space, Hyundai’s Nexo is a superb alternative. The automobile has all of the bells and whistles you’d count on from a contemporary luxurious automobile, full with an infotainment system, seats that may be heated or ventilated, a sunroof, and extra.
The automobile takes about 5 minutes to refuel, which is much extra akin to a petroleum or diesel automobile than the lengthy recharge occasions supplied by EVs.
Are extra hydrogen automobiles coming to the UK?
Sure, a variety of automotive producers have began to develop hydrogen autos.
Toyota, for example, has created a prototype for an additional hydrogen automobile, the Hilux pick-up truck, which has been developed within the UK with the assistance of presidency funding.
The corporate has additionally developed the GR Yaris H2, an experimental automobile that’s powered solely by hydrogen so retains its inside combustion engine.
The vehicle was driven at Goodwood Festival of Speed by Rowan Atkinson to showcase how motorsport may use hydrogen to maintain the identical sound and really feel as their petrol options.
Elsewhere, BMW has produced the iX5 Hydrogen – based mostly on the X5 – which is at present being trialled around the globe.
Hyundai has additionally created a show-stopping idea automotive, the N Vision 74, partly impressed by the Hyundai Pony Coupe Concept from 1974. Manufacturing for the automobile will start in 2026.
Numerous hydrogen-dedicated producers have began growing H2 autos as nicely, with Riversimple being considered one of them.
The corporate, which was created by former motorsport engineer and racing driver Hugo Spowers, relies in Llandrindod Wells, Wales and has created the Rasa. It is a working prototype and can be trialed for a yr in Monmouthshire.
What concerning the infrastructure for hydrogen automobiles?
There are at present 16 hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) throughout the nation, six of that are open to the general public.
While this can be a far cry from the a whole lot of EV fashions within the nation and the over 30,000 EV charging stations accessible, we’re quietly optimistic that this can change within the coming years – extra on that subsequent.
The HRS open to the general public are:
- Aberdeen Metropolis Hydrogen Vitality Storage (Aberdeen)
- Kittybrewster Hydrogen Station (Aberdeen)
- Tyseley Vitality Park (Birmingham)
- Hatton Cross (London)
- M1 Rotherham within the Superior Manufacturing Park (Rotherham, Sheffield)
- Honda Manufacturing Station (Swindon)
For those who dwell in or round Swindon, Birmingham, Sheffield, London or Aberdeen, an H2 automotive may already be a viable possibility for you. In fact, this can depend upon how and the place you utilize your automobile – in case you journey lengthy distances to areas that aren’t at present coated by public refuelling stations, it may be greatest to attend till the infrastructure improves.
Is there nonetheless hope for hydrogen automobiles within the UK?
We predict so.
In some ways, the hydrogen trade continues to be in its infancy.
In the mean time, hydrogen is going through a chicken-and-egg state of affairs the place the infrastructure must be in place earlier than extra producers have the arrogance to begin producing or importing hydrogen-fuelled automobiles to the UK. Likewise, most of the people must really feel like they will belief that they’ll have the ability to refuel when essential throughout their travels.
We predict that, earlier than these alternatively fuelled automobiles change into extra widespread, hydrogen will first be used for business autos and this can assist pave the way in which for hydrogen automobiles to return to market.
It is because many freight drivers cannot rely on EVs, particularly as they typically make longer journeys and are underneath time constraints that don’t combine nicely with the lengthy charging occasions that include utilizing an electrical automobile.
We’re beginning to see the federal government’s plans come to fruition
Again in 2013, the UK authorities predicted that “over one and a half million hydrogen-powered vehicles might be on UK roads by 2030”. While this deadline appears unlikely contemplating solely 300 hydrogen-powered autos are at present on UK roads (together with H2 buses), we do now appear to be within the early phases of their plans.
It is because they’ve earmarked seven projects that put money into hydrogen energy. These inexperienced hydrogen initiatives will first serve companies throughout the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors – in addition to in different industries – to assist decarbonise their operations.
With these initiatives, inexperienced hydrogen will play an even bigger function within the UK’s power infrastructure. Any extra hydrogen created from these initiatives might be used to create extra fuelling stations for H2 automobiles, offering the general public and producers with the arrogance they should put money into H2 autos.
The federal government additionally predicted that “a co-ordinated community of hydrogen refuelling stations will should be established, focusing at first on nationwide trunk routes and closely populated areas”. We’re already beginning to see these plans come to fruition, with refuelling stations planned for important trunk roads alongside the A1(M) and M6 motorways.
Hydrogen automobiles might be the reply for motor fans
For those who’re a automotive fanatic, you may be bemoaning the recognition of EVs as a result of they don’t sound like what you’re used to listening to with a petroleum or diesel engine. In such circumstances, hydrogen is the candy spot: emission-free and accessible with an inside combustion engine so it retains the sound and really feel of a conventional automobile.
Though with the ability to drive a hydrogen automotive with out vary nervousness continues to be an excellent few years off, we’re satisfied that the event of the hydrogen infrastructure will velocity up within the months and years forward.
There are already talks of hydrogen being utilized in motorsport because the quick refuelling occasions and conventional automobile sound make a compelling case. A hydrogen class is ready to be introduced to Le Mans in 2027, and Toyota’s GR H2 might be one of many race autos because the idea automotive has been created particularly for motorsport.
What about insuring a hydrogen-powered automotive?
There aren’t many insurance coverage corporations that at present present hydrogen car insurance, however you’ll be happy to know we’re one of many only a few brokers that may cowl these zero-emission autos.
For those who’re able to make the leap and get both the Mirai, the Nexo SUV, or one other hydrogen vehicle imported from overseas, we might help you get the fitting cowl to your distinctive automotive.
Name us for a quote on 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that fits you.
