Report shows number of FCEVs likely to hit UK roads by 2030

The forecast is made in an interim report commissioned to evaluate the benefits of hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and to ensure the UK is ready for their commercial roll-out.

Produced by the UKH₂Mobility project, the study provides a roadmap for the introduction of vehicles and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in the UK.

The report found that the initial uptake of FCEVs will progress as models are introduced to the market and the fuelling network matures. The roadmap shows that once mass FCEV production is established there is the potential for 1.6 million vehicles on UK roads by 2030, with annual sales of more than 300,000.

In order to keep the cars on the road, a co-ordinated network of hydrogen refuelling stations will need to be established, focusing first on national trunk routes and heavily populated areas.

It is claimed that an initial roll-out of 65 stations would provide enough coverage in line with early vehicle sales, with the network growing in line with the number of FCEVs on the road to provide 1,150 sites by 2030.