ENERGY storage and clean fuel company ITM Power has officially launched its first public access hydrogen refuelling station at Teddington – one of five new hydrogen stations for London this year.

The station was opened to the public by Transport Minister Andrew Jones, and was supported by Toyota, Hyundai, Honda and Renault’s technology partner Symbio FCell – fellow automotive manufacturer members of the European HyFive consortium.

The station is the first of three to be opened in the UK as part of the pan-European HyFive project, funded by the European Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCHJU) and the UK Government Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).

It is also the first of five new hydrogen stations being opened in 2016 to serve the London area.

Transport Minister Mr Jones also announced a £2 million government fund to support the roll-out of hydrogen vehicles in public and private sector fleets.

He said: “We are committed to making all cars and vans zero-emission by 2050, and hydrogen vehicles have a huge role to play in delivering cleaner, greener journeys.

First of 12 new hydrogen stations this year

“The new refuelling station at Teddington is just one of 12 stations opening up this year, backed by £5 million of government funding, that will make it easier for more people to switch to this exciting new technology.”

Located at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, the hydrogen refuelling station is close to the A316 and A308 trunk roads and is available for commercial and private fleets operating fuel cell electric vehicles.

Delegates took part in a ‘ride and drive’ that showcased a range of fuel cell electric vehicles, including the Toyota Mirai saloon and models from Hyundai and Honda.

Paul Van der Burgh, Toyota (GB) president and managing director, said: “The opening of ITM Power’s new filling station is an excellent example of how a coordinated hydrogen fuel infrastructure is successfully being developed in the UK with backing from the HyFive consortium.

“We are pleased to continue our support for the wider provision of hydrogen fuel outlets, which will encourage increased customer uptake of zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell vehicles such as the Toyota Mirai saloon.”

Dr Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, commented: “We are extremely pleased to have launched the first of the company’s HyFive hydrogen refuelling stations in London providing clean fuel for a range of fuel cell electric vehicle types that are now available from the auto OEMs.”

Teams from ITM Power and BOC Linde are to commission and open a further four electrolyser-based refuelling stations in and around London before the end of 2016.