The project brings together the utility, gas, infrastructure, fuel retail and car manufacturing sectors with three government departments and is looking at potential barriers to overcome and potential investment required to make the UK a leading global player in the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles market.

The H2Mobility evaluation phase was completed at the end of 2012. This report summarises the findings and outlines a scenario for the roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles to consumers. Phase 2, to develop a business case, started in March 2013 and saw Sainsbury’s join in the project.

Sainsbury’s head of fuel, Richard Crampton said: ‘At Sainsbury’s we are always looking for solutions that reduce our impact on the environment and help our customers to live more sustainably. We currently have 280 filling stations serving customers throughout the UK and believe that exploring greener fuels today is fundamental to the long-term sustainability of our business.

‘We look forward to working together with government and the UK H2Mobility partners and to sharing our expertise to help shape this future low carbon solution. The project is also closely aligned to our own stretching target of reducing our operational carbon emissions by 30 per cent absolute by 2020.’

Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon added: ‘Securing new economic opportunities for the UK, diversifying our national energy supply and driving down carbon emissions go to the heart of my job in government. The findings of the report demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles can have a real impact on all three.

‘Prompt action is needed to ensure the potential benefits are realised by businesses and consumers in the UK and work on the next phase will start straight away.’

The BVRLA has welcomed the report, with chief executive John Lewis saying: ‘Hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles are our best hope for long-term, mass market adoption of practical zero-emission transport. We are delighted that UKH2Mobility is working with the BVRLA and other fleet industry representatives that will lead the uptake of this exciting new technology. This report gives us a clear, sensible roadmap that finally lays to rest the myth that the arrival of hydrogen vehicles is always 20 years away.