A nine-month study into optimised designs for a potential hydrogen distribution and supply network for heavy duty transport in the UK has been completed by bp and BOC.
Reporting back on 5 July, bp revealed that from the findings, the main conclusion drawn was that distribution of hydrogen as compressed gas, via road trailer, is the best option to stimulate the UK market for hydrogen fuel for heavy duty transport in the near-term. However, looking further ahead, as the market expands and reaches new geographies, both liquid and gaseous hydrogen will have a potential role to play.
Based on this, bp and BOC are now focusing on opportunities to collaborate to design and deploy an initial network for heavy duty transport hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in the UK. With heavy duty transportation accounting for around 16% of the UK’s total road transport tailpipe emissions, as of 2019, but just 5% of vehicle miles, such a network has the potential to make a big impact.
Business President of BOC UK & Ireland, Jim Mercer, noted how the study had shown “optimal ways” in which hydrogen can be used to help decarbonise the UK freight sector, adding that for net zero to be met, road freight emissions must be tackled. Richard Harding, meanwhile, Senior Vice President Portfolio & Integration of bp, highlighted that its customers in hard-to-abate sectors, which includes heavy-duty transport, are now demanding low carbon alternatives, further strengthening the case for such a network.
