Funding to build a network of hydrogen refuelling station for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in the UK has been pulled after fleets failed to commit to sufficient vehicle numbers.

The Government-backed HyHaul project, which was part of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, was set to deploy up to 30 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, supported by dedicated fleet hydrogen transport systems and three refuelling stations.

Announcing the HyHaul project’s closure, HyHaul Mobility MD, Kyle Arnold, said in a statement it had been “unable to secure sufficient customer commitments for fuel cell heavy goods vehicles”.

As a result, Arnold said that Innovate UK and the Department for Transport (DfT) have “ended a key grant, bringing the programme to an end”.

The grant included five work packages: programme management; customer and fleet leasing; hydrogen refuelling infrastructure; data and digital; and exploitation.

Arnold explained: “HyHaul Mobility successfully met expectations on all, except the customer and fleet leasing work package.

“Despite considerable effort from the consortium, Novuna was unable to obtain the required number of signed customer agreements needed to progress with fuel cell HGV orders.”

The issue, according to Arnold, was the “fixed timelines attached to the grant”, rather than a general market reluctance toward zero-emission technologies. 

“This shortfall was the determining factor in the grant’s termination,” he added.

Since the start of the programme, more than 100 potential customers were engaged, totalling 192 trucks, representing more than 25% of the UK’s 44-tonne HGV market. Multiple customers signed letters of intent, memorandums of understanding, and letters of support.

Further information:

https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/innovate-uk-and-dft-pull-plug-on-hydrogen-truck-project