ITM Power has opened a new public hydrogen refuelling station on the M4 corridor in Swindon as it also looks to help drive the number of fuel cell electric vehicles operating locally.

The new site in Swindon marks ITM’s seventh public access hydrogen refuelling station

The site – which marks the firm’s seventh public access station – is located at the offices for fuel cell component manufacturing firm Johnson Matthey and is open for public and private fleets operating fuel cell electric vehicles. The station uses electricity via a renewable energy contract and water to generate hydrogen on-site with no need for deliveries.

ITM added that it’s collaborating with local stakeholders to develop a significant FCEV fleet around the new station.

The site has been deployed as part of the pan-European H2ME2 project, which was funded by the European Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCHJU) and the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). The programme will also fund a further ITM Power station, which will open at Gatwick Airport before the end of this year.

Tony Whitehorn, president and CEO Hyundai Motor UK, commented: “As the demand for zero emission vehicles of all types is increasing at a rapid rate, it’s imperative that the necessary infrastructure is deployed at a pace that matches. For Hyundai, the opening of the seventh station from ITM shows a clear and timely commitment to hydrogen deployment from both the public and private sector as we prepare for the imminent UK launch of Nexo, our next-generation fuel cell electric vehicle.”

Although just three FCEV models are currently available worldwide – the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo and Honda Clarity – industry-watchers believe at least 20 models – from up to 10 different manufacturers – could join the FCEV marketplace in the next five years.

The new site joins ITM’s existing public access sites on Cobham on the M25, Beaconsfield on the M40, Rainham in Kent on the A14, Teddington in London, Rotherham on the M1 and Kirkwall in Orkney. Swindon is also home to one of the Hydrogen Hub schemes, being run in partnership with Arval.