A new hydrogen filling station has become the first in the country to allow hydrogen refuelling on the same forecourt as conventional petrol and diesel pumps.
The new facility has been installed by Shell at Beaconsfield services on the M40.
The hydrogen it supplies is generated on-site using an electrolyser that requires only water and electricity to generate the hydrogen gas.
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles convert hydrogen into electricity to power the engine, and produce only heat and water when driven.
Shell hydrogen business development manager Mike Copson said: “We’re delighted to be opening a new refuelling site at Shell Beaconsfield, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to hydrogen as a vital part of the UK’s future transport system.
“Bringing hydrogen under the canopy for the first time is a fantastic step towards making it a convenient and viable fuel choice for UK drivers.”
The hydrogen station at Beaconsfield is the fifth hydrogen refuelling site in the UK to be supplied by ITM Power and will be the first to be opened as part of the H2ME project.
The initiative is partially funded by the European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking and the UK’s Office of Low Emission Vehicles.
ITM Power CEO Graham Cooley said: “ITM Power is pleased to open this new hydrogen station in Beaconsfield which is the first to sit on the main forecourt, alongside the petrol and diesel pumps.
“This shows a big step forward in offering Shell customers a clean, green fuel, which is generated on-site, eliminating fuel deliveries.
“We look forward to working alongside Shell to deploy further stations and grow the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in the UK.”
Roads Minister Jesse Norman said: “This is an exciting example of how innovative technologies are helping the Government’s Future of Mobility Grand Challenge – contributing towards meeting our climate targets, while supporting the UK’s low-carbon economy.
“Hydrogen has the potential to play a vital role in decarbonising transport, so the unveiling of the UK’s first integrated hydrogen refuelling station is an important step forward.”