Skip advert
Advertisement

Stop the fixation on electric cars and give alternative fuels, like hydrogen, a chance in 2025

Chris Rosamond explains why we should keep an open mind about future fuels

Opinion - hydrogen

The UK should follow the lead of the European Union, and announce that we’ll match its commitment to at least one hydrogen filling station located every 120 miles on major roads.

The EU deadline to achieve that is 2031; here in the UK, policy makers don’t support any role for green hydrogen apart from using it to decarbonise heavy industrial processes like steel-making. If nothing changes, we’ll be watching enviously from the sidelines as firms from Germany and Asia roll out new-generation hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles in the coming years. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The UK’s exclusive focus on battery-powered electric vehicles looks increasingly like tunnel vision, the closer we get to the deadlines. It ignores other low-carbon technologies for road transport being pursued actively elsewhere too, including bio and e-fuels

The trouble starts with the Government asking mandarins for policies that drive the UK to net zero fastest, resulting in the planet’s most challenging targets for EV conversion. But in the real world outside Whitehall, consumers clearly aren’t so single-minded. Other countries supporting alternative green road fuels alongside battery EVs have the benefit of eggs in more than one basket, and any technologies which could help to make the net zero transition smoother – and more realistically achieved – need to be actively supported.

UK policy on hydrogen is that diverting any of the currently low global supplies of the genuinely ‘green’ stuff away from the furnaces of heavy industry to road transport would be inefficient use of a scarce low carbon resource.

It seems to me astonishingly short-sighted, when so much cash is being pledged for renewable hydrogen production and storage projects around the globe.

Here's everything you need to know about hydrogen cars...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Polestar 7 to take the fight to Tesla, Audi and BMW with cutting-edge tech
Polestar 7 render (watermarked) - front

New Polestar 7 to take the fight to Tesla, Audi and BMW with cutting-edge tech

The new Polestar 7 is set to arrive in 2028 and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
13 Aug 2025
New Audi TT: everything we know about the electric sports car
Audi TT design render (watermarked)

New Audi TT: everything we know about the electric sports car

The Audi TT looks set for a sensational return in electric form, and our exclusive image previews how it might look
News
10 Aug 2025
New Smart #2 could be the ForTwo’s spiritual successor, balancing price and quality
Smart ForTwo exclusive image - front 3/4

New Smart #2 could be the ForTwo’s spiritual successor, balancing price and quality

Despite the brand’s transition away from small cars, a successor to the Smart ForTwo is very much on the cards
News
6 Aug 2025
Buyers would rather have a cheap car than a safe car
Opinion - cheap or safe cars

Buyers would rather have a cheap car than a safe car

Steve Walker gives his expert insight on why safety doesn’t sell, but you’re paying for it regardless
Opinion
31 Jul 2025

Most Popular

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years
MG Cyber X design render - front

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years

Boxy small SUV is gearing up for production, and our exclusive images show how the model might look
News
30 Aug 2025
New BMW i1 will cram big EV tech into a small package
BMW 1 Series render - front

New BMW i1 will cram big EV tech into a small package

The all-new BMW i1 will rival the all-electric Audi A3 and new Mercedes CLA when it arrives in 2027
News
28 Aug 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month

The Renault 5 is taking the market by storm – and at this price it’s easy to see why. It’s our Deal of the Day for August 30
News
30 Aug 2025