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Hydrogen Filling Station UK Network Development

Mar 22, 2023

Hydrogen Filling Station UK Network Development

Two hydrogen pumps are included in plans for a service station development submitted by the forecourt dealer group Euro Garages to Aberdeenshire Council. The company has applied for planning permission for a service station adjacent to the A90 comprising a petrol filling station, EV charging and hydrogen refuelling.

A planning statement with the application states that the hydrogen refuelling station will be supplied by Element 2, a UK company aiming to develop a network of hydrogen refuelling stations across the UK. The statement adds: “Element 2 see the application site as being a strategic location for the provision of a hydrogen refuelling station as it is located on the main road transport route from the central belt to the north-east of Scotland, passing through the major cities of Dundee and Aberdeen. This will be one of a few hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK that can serve both HGVs and cars….The refuelling area will comprise two refuelling bays located under a canopy, accommodating two vehicles, with space behind the bays for additional queueing vehicles.”

The new site in Aberdeenshire follows the Euro Garage group’s investment of £25m in a UK company developing a hydrogen fuel cell heavy goods vehicle (HGV) in October of last year. HVS (Hydrogen Vehicle Systems Ltd) has already completed its first hydrogen medium commercial vehicle (MCV) prototype and is well underway in developing its second flagship HGV.

The two companies said they aim to advance the UK government’s declaration to become the first country in the world to commit to phasing out new non-zero emission HGVs. With their partnership, they said, EG Group has the potential to provide hydrogen refuelling infrastructure nationwide. At the same time, HVS offers zero-emission freight vehicles, working together to bring hydrogen to the market.

EG Group initially invested £5m into HVS in 2021 and has now injected a further £25m.

The UK Hydrogen Refuelling Market

There are currently 15 hydrogen filling stations in the UK. An earlier government and industry forecast estimated there would be 65 refuelling stations in Britain by 2020, a plan that has not been met. However, there have been some developments in recent months that have highlighted a more confident and expansionist mood for hydrogen enthusiasts.

The UK will have a nationwide network of hydrogen refuelling stations operational at the end of this year as plans by British start-up Element 2 take effect. The initial push is to service heavy trucks and light commercial vehicles, but private cars like the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo and the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be able to use Element 2’s pumping technology.

Trucks and buses are the number-one priority for Element 2’s hydrogen because the 600,000 trucks operating daily in the UK contribute 18% to road transport emissions. There’s also a better business case for refuelling stations focused on trucks and buses since a truck typically consumes 50kg of hydrogen per day, a bus 20kg and a car just 1kg. Given that 1kg of hydrogen costs £15, including 20% VAT (but no fuel duty), just 1,000 trucks moving to hydrogen will generate £750,000 of revenue per day.

So far, Element 2 has made rapid progress with £6.5 million of investment, but two further funding rounds totalling £100m are planned for this year. Ultimately, investment is likely to hit £1 billion by 2027.

The hydrogen fuel cell has been tomorrow’s technology since the mid-1990s, but Carbon Zero policies have accelerated their introduction in heavy trucks, soon to be followed in light commercial vans and pick-ups.

“From all we hear from operators, about 30% of operations, mainly urban work, can be met by battery-electric haulage. For other operations, it’s the fuel cell that can replace the internal combustion engine,” said Brendan Bilton, chief technology officer at Element 2.

Element 2 is concentrating its network on the UK’s 147 truck stops to fulfil this emerging demand. It estimates it needs 800 individual nozzles – about five per truck stop – by 2027 to provide comprehensive national coverage. Last July, it announced its first two sites with planning permission approved, one at Coneygarth on the A1 near Northallerton and a second on the M6 near Carlisle.

At its truck-stop sites, the hydrogen pumps will be located on their forecourts, away from petrol/diesel areas. They will be fed by 40-foot-long compressed-gas tanker trailers towed from a central depot. Element 2 has a hydrogen supply contract with chemicals giant Ineos from its Runcorn plant on Merseyside.

5.3 million drivers are risking running out of fuel when driving, new research finds

Mar 1, 2023

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Over half of motorists could be at risk of costly repairs because they wait too long to fill up their vehicle, a new study reveals.

Research carried out by Motorpoint found that 42% of drivers wait until their fuel light comes on before putting fuel in their car, and a further 16% admitted trying to use up every mile of fuel before refilling – risking damage to their engine.

Explaining why you shouldn’t wait for your fuel light to come on before filling up, Tim Rodie, driving expert at Motorpoint said: “You don’t need to wait for the fuel light to come on to visit the petrol station – it’s something I would encourage drivers to get out of the habit of doing.

“Whether you have a petrol or diesel vehicle, regularly running your car close to empty can cause a range of issues that can be expensive to fix. It’s important to remember that the fuel warning light is designed to make it clear that you must fill up your car, nothing good can come from trying to run down your remaining mileage.”

How much fuel is left when the warning light comes on?

The fuel light is designed to warn drivers that they are beginning to run low on fuel and help prevent unnecessary breakdowns.

As Tim Rodie explains: “As a general rule, the warning light will only come on when the total capacity of your fuel tank drops below 10 – 15% – how far this will get you is completely dependent on how good your fuel economy is and the way you drive.

“There isn’t a standard distance you’ll be able to travel with your fuel warning light on, so it’s always better to be cautious and fill up as soon as possible. The longer you leave it to fill up, the greater the risk is that you’ll unknowingly cause damage to your engine – which will cost you much more in the long run to fix.”

Is it illegal to drive with low fuel?

While it isn’t illegal to drive with your fuel light on, if your car breaks down as a result of not filling up and causes an obstruction or accident, you could find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

According to the Highway Code, if you run out of fuel when driving and cause an obstruction or accident, this can be viewed as ‘careless and inconsiderate driving’, which carries an unlimited fine and between three and nine penalty points.¹

Based on current driving habits, Motorpoint predicts that 5.3 million drivers will be at risk of running out of fuel in 2023.

Tim said: “As a motorist, you have a responsibility to drive in a way that won’t put yourself or other road users at risk and running out of fuel can be dangerous. Breaking down and having to wait at the side as a result of your fuel running out is completely avoidable and can lead to accidents – particularly if it were to happen on a motorway or other busy road.”

What can happen if you drive with low fuel?

Beyond the risk of breaking down and having to call for help, driving with low fuel can damage parts of your engine, warns Tim.

“Making a habit of driving with low fuel can affect the health of your whole fuel system, but particularly the fuel pump and filter, which are both essential to keep your car running smoothly.

“When it comes to your fuel pump, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of if you make a habit of going too long between fuelling up. Not only can air be drawn into your fuel system, which can lead to your vehicle stalling or refusing to start, but your fuel pump isn’t designed to work without fuel running through it, which can cause it to overheat.”

“As your fuel level starts to run low, any debris that has collected at the bottom of your tank can be picked up and run through your fuel system. Over time, this debris can clog your fuel filter, limiting the amount of fuel that makes it to your engine, potentially causing a failure.

When should you be filling up your car?

Rather than waiting for the fuel light to come on, Tim recommends filling up your tank when it gets below a quarter full.

“It might seem counterintuitive to head back to the petrol station while you still have fuel in your tank, but it really is the best thing you can do for your vehicle and might even save you miles, as you can plan to fill up when passing a petrol station rather than needing to go out of your way.

“No one likes holding their breath and wondering if you have enough miles left to get to the nearest petrol station, so always having some fuel in your tank is the safest way to drive. Not only is it the only way to prevent running out and any of the other issues that can arise from driving on empty, but it could also save you a costly repair bill down the line.”

For more information, visit: https://www.motorpoint.co.uk/press/uk-motorists-will-see-nearly-400-added-to-fuel-bills-new-report-finds

Survey conducted by SurveyGoo on behalf of Motorpoint with a sample of 2,083 UK car owners in January 2023. All statistics and findings have been rounded to the nearest whole number. A full data set is available on request.

1) https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/penalty-table.html

Tim Rodie

With over a decade’s experience in the automotive industry, Tim heads up Motorpoint’s YouTube and TikTok channels, where he reviews a huge range of nearly new cars, pointing out their useful features, flaws and surprising extras.

Check out his latest video here: https://www.youtube.com/@motorpoint

Motorpoint

Established in 1998 Motorpoint is the UK’s largest independent retailer of nearly new cars and vans. All vehicles are under 30,000 miles and less than four years old.

Proposed MOT Changes Raise Safety Issues

Feb 22, 2023

In mid-January 2023, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation to seek views on changing MOTs in light of changes in vehicle technology. The department said they would seek opinions regarding the need to update MOT testing for cars, motorbikes and vans to ensure roadworthiness checks continue to balance costs on motorists while ensuring road safety, keeping up with advancements in vehicle technology, and tackling vehicle emissions.

The consultation seeks responses to proposals to require most vehicles to have their first MOT four years after they are registered. Under existing regulations, most vehicles in England, Scotland and Wales that are three years old or over must have a current MOT test certificate. It must be renewed annually at a maximum legal cost of £54.85 for a car and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle. The MOT test comprehensively checks everything from windscreen wipers and headlights to structural bodywork condition and handbrake efficacy. In Northern Ireland, tests are compulsory after four years. Drivers who do not have a valid certificate can be fined up to £1,000.

The DfT said delaying the first test for new vehicles could save around £100m a year for motorists. Officials added that significant developments in vehicle technology had increased road safety since MOTs were introduced in 1960. DfT figures show 26 people were killed in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2021 when vehicle defects were a contributory factor. The department said the number of casualties in crashes caused by vehicle defects is low and government analysis shows delaying the first MOT should not impact road safety.

Any changes to the MOT will be supported by an information campaign led by the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to inform drivers of the updates to MOTs and remind them of their responsibility to keep vehicles roadworthy. Undertaking roadworthiness testing four years after the vehicle’s registration is already standard practice across many European countries, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Concerns raised by motoring organisations and retailers

Several motoring organisations and retailers have raised concerns about the proposed changes. The AA president Edmund King argued, “With one in 10 cars failing their first MOT, we strongly discourage the Government from extending a car’s first MOT to the fourth anniversary due to road safety concerns. When this proposal was last considered in 2017-18, the four-year policy did not obtain public support, with many citing concerns over vehicle safety as the main reason for opposing the move. We do not believe this to have changed over time. Safety items like tyres and brakes can often be deficient after three years.”

The RAC’s head of road policy, Nicholas Lyes, added: “While we’re not opposed to delaying a new vehicle’s first MOT, we believe there should be a requirement for particularly high mileage vehicles to be tested sooner. If the Government is looking to improve the MOT, now is the ideal time to take into account how much a vehicle is driven, alongside the number of years it’s been on the road. We’re also disappointed the Government is still entertaining the idea of increasing the time between MOTs. Our research clearly shows drivers don’t agree with this and believe it’s dangerous. It would also likely increase the number of unroadworthy vehicles on our roads – putting lives at risk – and not save drivers any money as they would likely end up with bigger repair bills as a result.”

A recent article in the Times raised the spectre that almost a quarter of a million dangerous vehicles would be allowed on the roads yearly if MOTs for new cars were delayed. Motoring groups and mechanics have hit back at the plans, warning that, on average, 14 per cent of vehicles fail their first MOT at three years. With new car sales averaging 1.6 million a year for the past three years, they argue that 225,000 vehicles that reach their third year of registration will likely be in a dangerous condition.

Halfords, the motoring and bicycle business, said that worn tyres, brake pads, and faulty steering and suspension are among the most common reasons cars fail their first MoT.

“The government is right to look at ways to save motorists money, but that cannot come at the expense of safety,” said Graham Stapleton, the chief executive of Halfords. “There are other steps they could take, such as extending the 5p a litre cut on fuel duty. Many of the issues spotted at the first MoT are easy and inexpensive to fix, but if left to fester, they could turn into an expensive repair, meaning it could be a false economy for many motorists.”

The DfT consultation runs until 1^st March 2023.

London and Nottingham revealed as top EV cities

Feb 8, 2023

The top 10 electric car cities and towns revealed by Motorway:

London
Nottingham
Bedford
Manchester
Newcastle upon Tyne
Milton Keynes
Bristol
Oxford
Coventry
Southampton

To read more about the research and results of the analysis of EV cities leading the charge, visit motorway best EV cities

For an estimated valuation of your car, visit motorway.co.uk

The Value of Tracking Your Assets – How much is my car worth?

Jan 25, 2023

Used Car Price Trends

Previously, car depreciation almost always followed a downward trend, but the industry has experienced unprecedented changes over the past two years. Global supply chain shortages, a slowdown in new car production and a rapidly changing economy have resulted in used cars holding their value at a better rate – and sometimes even going up in value. For example, between the end of 2020 and the end of 2021, the average price of a used Ford Fiesta sold on Motorway increased by over 50%. While prices of the Ford Fiesta decreased over the course of 2022 by 8%, they are still significantly up on pre-pandemic prices (end of 2019). Due to these changes, it’s now more important than ever for car owners to track the value of their vehicles to sell at the best time.

Motorway has teamed up with Rachel Riley MBE, maths genius and TV presenter, to reveal how regularly tracking the value of our assets could put more money in our pockets. Rachel commented: “January is the perfect time to take control of your finances and the first thing you can do is take stock of your assets. Think about what you own that could be of material value: a car, a mobile phone, a gold necklace? All of these items could be considered assets and as such they depreciate and appreciate depending on market conditions and trends. An asset such as a car will see prices rise and fall, depending on demand in the used-car market, meaning it’s important to track the value of your car to understand the best time to sell.”

To track the value of your car, visit motorway.co.uk/track

Research conducted by Censuswide, with a national representative sample of 2,000 adults (aged 18+) between 07.11.2022 and 12.12.2022.

Recommendations from the Independent Review of Net Zero

Jan 18, 2023

Over three years ago, the UK signed a commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 into law. Since that commitment was signed, the world has experienced many challenges. For this reason, an Independent Review of Net Zero was commissioned in September 2022 to ask how the UK could better meet its net zero commitments, taking account of these global changes. It was also commissioned to ask how the UK might deliver its net zero targets more affordably and efficiently.

The commission was chaired by Chris Skidmore MP, the former Energy Minister responsible for signing the UK’s net zero commitment into law.

The Review covered all aspects of the net zero commitment. With regard to the transport-related elements, the Review observed that Electric Vehicles (EVs) should be made more accessible to those who need them and improvements must be made in the public charging infrastructure, including the sorting of cost discrepancies –where those without home charging have to pay a lot more to charge their vehicles.

Several critical areas identified transport as an area where improvements were necessary. The recommendations for the transport sector fell into three main areas:

Encouraging the uptake of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)

Swift delivery of a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate to apply from 2024 while maintaining regulations and funding to support EV/ZEV uptake and continue driving emission reductions from internal combustion engines.
Enabling the provision of long-term finance required for initiatives to decarbonise the existing transport fleet.
The benefits to net zero are not all guaranteed – and depend on the government’s decisions today. This Review directly considered the risks UK households might face from the transition to net zero. These include cost; 17% of adults have no savings, and one in ten has £100 or less in the UK. For many, there are real challenges to affording an electric vehicle regardless of their support for net zero or the fact that it may save them money in the long term. The government has recognised this risk, but more action is needed to help people afford the changes they will need to make.
Organisations like the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), representing the major car brands, highlighted that the government’s ambitious and binding targets for rolling out ZEV cars and vans must be underpinned by equally ambitious and binding targets for EV charging infrastructure. A stable and supportive fiscal environment will also be of critical importance.”

More and better-targeted government action

Government to publish the Low Carbon Fuels Strategy in 2023.
Government to continue to work with industry to set out a straightforward programme by 2024 to accelerate the decarbonisation of the wider freight sector through modal shift and deployment of new technologies, building on the Future of Freight Plan.
Government to adopt a public engagement strategy to communicate to people the need to reduce car journeys and the benefits of doing this.
The government should amend the regulatory framework to incentivise transport providers to increase demand and improve services and work with them on this vision by 2024.

Making sure that public transport plays a more significant role

Government to act to reduce the costs of public transport.
Measures to enable intermodality so people can more easily take different modes of transport to complete a journey.
Measures to encourage the choice of active travel or public transport, or using shared services.
The development of more sustainable and cleaner travel. Electric vehicles, alongside the increasing use of public transport, cycling, and walking, also have benefits beyond air quality. They can reduce noise and congestion and provide more reliable and affordable services. Cycling and walking can deliver significant improvements in public health and well-being.

The Review comments on the number of respondents frustrated by a lack of long-term thinking, siloed behaviour from government departments, and uncertainty over the length of funding commitments. There were suggestions that this is holding back the deployment of green technologies, hampering investment across all sectors and inhibiting the ability to create British jobs.

The Net Zero Review believed that “we are heading in the right direction but also that we urgently need to step up the pace as well as bring everyone along with us.”

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