So says Air Products, a leading supplier of hydrogen fuelling and re-fuelling equipment and infrastructure in the UK, which has welcomed the announcement.

The funding, announced by Business and Energy Minister Matt Hancock, will help establish an initial network of up to 15 hydrogen refuelling stations by the end of 2015, and include £2m of funding for public sector hydrogen vehicles.

Diana Raine, European business manager, hydrogen energy systems at Air Products, said: ‘We are delighted to see the Government commit to supporting the rollout of hydrogen transport in this way. Hydrogen-powered vehicle technology is proven and ready to be used now. It is not a fuel of the future, it is a fuel for today, and with no emissions at the point of use, it has the potential to de-carbonise the transport sector with little sacrifice to transport performance.

‘This is a hugely positive development for the hydrogen industry in the UK. There are already several Air Products SmartFuel hydrogen fuelling stations in the UK with plans for more, and we look forward to seeing this network expand as we work with the Government to make hydrogen transport a reality.’