Hydrogen pump opened at London Sainsbury's store

The first hydrogen filling station at a supermarket has opened in London.

Kick-starting a public hydrogen refuelling network in London, the SmartFuel dispenser is hosted by Sainsbury’s at its Hendon store.

Owned and operated by Air Products, this latest addition strengthens an existing network of hydrogen stations operating in the Capital, including a newly upgraded, publicly accessible dispenser at Heathrow.

Together these stations continually meet demand from a burgeoning number of hydrogen-powered fleets, which includes taxis, delivery vans operated by Commercial Group, and a number of Hyundai ix35 fuel cell cars.

Business minister Matthew Hancock said: “Hydrogen cars present us with a huge potential economic opportunity and can bolster our internationally renowned automotive industry. We want to make the UK one of the best places in the world to design, manufacture and sell ultra-low emission vehicles but we need the right infrastructure in place.

“Hydrogen refuelling stations are a step towards a cleaner future.”

Diana Raine, LHNE Co-ordinator and Air Products’ hydrogen energy business manager, said: “Encouraging people to consider and ultimately choose hydrogen as a transport fuel is an important part of London’s progression towards a low carbon future.” 

“By working with responsible partners such as Sainsbury’s and providing networks of fuelling stations in convenient locations, we will be able to offer the public a real alternative to petrol.” 

Avishai Moor, Sainsbury’s head of fuel added: "We’re always looking at ways to offer our customers the latest technology when it comes to fuelling, and hydrogen vehicles are both environmentally friendly and efficient. We’re thrilled to be the first supermarket in the UK to bring this new technology to our customers.”