U.K. Growing Hydrogen Refueling-Station Network

The U.K. government announces a £6.6 million ($9.8 million) expansion of the hydrogen refueling system with its approval of seven new projects.

Business Minister Matthew Hancock says the spending involves an initial network of 12 hydrogen refueling stations and a new mobile station that will be used across the south of England, as well as upgrades to existing hydrogen demonstrator stations.

Hancock says in a statement the development represents a significant step in enabling the use of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in the U.K.

The mobile refueling station will be used to support conferences and test drives of FCVs.

Hyundai U.K. says the new package, which includes the construction of two new stations in the Greater London area, is boost to the region’s hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

President and CEO Tony Whitehorn says the additional stations and package of upgrades will make FCVs a viable option for more fleet and private customers.

Meantime, Transport for London says an Ultra-Low Emission Zone will be created in the capital beginning Sept. 7, 2020.

The ULEZ will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the same area as the current congestion charging zone. All cars, motorcycles, vans, minibuses and heavy-goods vehicles will need to meet exhaust emissions standards or pay an additional daily charge.

There will be no barriers or tollbooths. Cameras will read number plates as vehicles enter, leave or drive within the zone and check the plates against a database of those who meet the ULEZ standards or must pay the daily charge.

A vehicle registered outside the U.K. also must meet the ULEZ standard or pay the daily charge.

Residents who live in the ULEZ will be granted a 3-year sunset period from 2020 to 2023 with a 100% discount to give them more time to change their vehicle to meet the standards.

All cars, vans minibuses and small vans manufactured after September will meet the standards. No diesel car or small van now on the road meets them.

A mainstream retrofit solution to achieve the Euro VI emissions standard does not exist and is not expected to be developed. “However, if a solution becomes available we would consider if it is an acceptable way to meet the ULEZ standards,” the organization says.

The daily charge for a range of vehicles including cars and vans will be £12.50 ($18.59). Heavy-goods vehicles, buses and coaches will pay £100 ($148.75). Failure to pay the charge will result in a £165 ($245.44) fine. The penalty for HGVs is £1,000 ($1,487.51).

It is possible a vehicle subject to the ULEZ and Low Emission Zone standards and driven during congestion-charging hours would have to pay all three daily charges.

London's air quality has improved significantly in recent years, but it remains in breach of the European Union limit for nitrogen dioxide.

British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Assn. CEO Gerry Keaney says the ULEZ is an essential part of the plan for tackling the capital’s air-quality problems.

“We continue to call for the government to provide a framework for such zones so that they can be introduced in a standardized way in other cities,” Keaney says in a statement.

“Car clubs, daily rental companies and leasing providers will be there to provide businesses and consumers with compliant vehicles, whether they live in London, visit it regularly or just make the occasional trip,” he says.