Some fleet operators are starting to “take hydrogen seriously” as a fuel option because of issues they have encountered in operating electric vans, says the Association of Fleet Professionals.
Paul Hollick, chair at the organisation, said that the forthcoming arrival of the Vauxhall Vivaro-e Hydrogen – really the first practical hydrogen-powered panel van available in quantity in the UK – was providing fleets with the potential opportunity to follow a multi-fuel, zero emissions strategy, although several major challenges remained.
Paul said that the development that made this move appear viable was really a single vehicle. Arriving in the UK soon, the Vauxhall Vivaro-e Hydrogen has a 249-mile range, can be refuelled in three minutes. However, fleets adopting them would face several hurdles. Finding fuel pumps would be the main one, probably requiring the construction of their own hydrogen bunkering facilities to ensure supply, while the price of hydrogen has been even more volatile than other road fuels in recent times.