A host of speakers from the hydrogen and automotive industries, as well as academics believe hydrogen fuelled driving will be a reality in just two years.

At this year’s Company Car in Action (CCIA), attendees will have the opportunity to place the viability of FCEVs (fuel cell electric vehicles) under the microscope as the UK aims for a carbon-free transport future which also has the potential to deliver a much-needed economic boost.

The debate, which marks one of the first steps from R&D to commercial reality as experts promote hydrogen to an audience made up of likely early adopters, takes place on day two of the event at Millbrook Proving Ground on Wednesday, June 12.

The panel includes:

• Chair Robert Evans, CEO of Cenex – the Centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies

• Fleet News editor Stephen Briers

• Professor John Jostins of Coventry University and managing director of Microcab, a road-going FCEV available to drive at CCIA

• Dr Aman Dhir of  the University of Birmingham, involved in the Microcab testing, head of  H2 Gen (hydrogen production)

• Rob Paddock, distribution and logistics manager at Cheltenham-based Commercial Group, which has introduced wide-ranging carbon footprint reduction measures and has taken part in a hydrogen van trial

• A representative from Hyundai which has its ix35 FCEV available to drive at the event

• Vauxhall’s Ian Allen, manager of environmental strategy and Ampera; the brand’s Hydrogen4 Fuel Cell vehicle is on static display

• Hydrogen supplier Air Liquide’s business unit manager of special products and services David Hurren

• Julia Hicks, business development manager at Air Products and Chemicals, installers of the hydrogen refuelling point at Millbrook Proving Ground

UKH2 Mobility, set up to establish the viability of FCEV driving in the UK and develop a blueprint for its implementation including a refuelling network, predicts likely take-up of FCEVs would be around 10,000 vehicles per year by 2020, rising to 1.6 million FCEVs on the road in the UK with annual sales of more than 300,000 by 2030.

Initial findings published in April also estimated a £1.3 billion annual ‘windfall’ for the UK economy by 2030 as a result of switching from imported fossil fuels to hydrogen made in the UK.

Places are limited so to take part in this important debate, email lauren.kendrick@bauermedia.co.uk or call 01733 395133.
 

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