Oil and gas company BP has completed a study on the uses of hydrogen to decarbonise heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and transportation.
It partnered with BOC, a Linde subsidiary, on the nine-month feasibility study into a potential hydrogen distribution and supply network for the UK’s HGVs.
The study concluded that compressed hydrogen gas transported via road trailer is the most suitable option to encourage the UK market to switch to hydrogen over the mid-term.
BP and BOC are now reportedly exploring opportunities to design and deploy an initial network for refuelling HGVs using hydrogen in the UK.
Reducing heavy duty emissions will play an important part in Britain’s net zero goals, with HGVs accounting for only 5% of road miles but approximately 16% of all tailpipe emissions in 2019.
Richard Harding, senior vice president portfolio and integration at BP, said: “Our customers in hard-to-abate sectors, such as heavy-duty transport, are demanding low carbon alternative fuels. They need and want to decarbonise.
“Cutting HGV emissions requires new infrastructure, and by bringing together our technical expertise, understanding of the supply chain, and insights from our customers, I am confident that together we can do more to drive change at pace for our customers.”
As the market grows in the UK, liquid and other forms of gaseous hydrogen may also have a role to play in decarbonisation.
