Clean fuel firm Element 2 is to invest £1bn in a UK hydrogen refuelling programme, providing some 2,000 pumps by 2030.

Element 2 says it will develop a mature network to supply hydrogen across the UK

The 10-year plan includes a bespoke focus on Scotland; the firm is planning 300 fuel pumps for its Scottish network and is looking to establish a supply chain and customer base in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow. This supports the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Policy Statement objective of making the fuel a key element of Scotland’s decarbonisation plans.

The pumps are intended to serve the UK’s commercial vehicle sector and municipal fleets, as Element 2 says hydrogen fuel is not well suited to short-distance passenger vehicles, due to its volume, but ideal for vehicles above 3.5 tonnes, and also vehicles requiring high availability such as gritters and emergency vehicles.

Element 2 is already in talks with several local authorities, transport operators and fleet owners to formalise sustainable and cost-effective partnerships.

Its strategy includes leasing land, negotiating profit share agreements and installing proven technologies to establish a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, helping to decarbonise Britain’s transport sector and fast-track the UK’s ambition of achieving net zero carbon.

Dr Andrew Hagan, Element 2’s chief development officer, said: “Businesses want to use hydrogen fuel but the infrastructure doesn’t yet exist or it is in its infancy. Element 2 will satisfy this demand using green hydrogen wherever possible, and develop a mature network to supply hydrogen across the UK.”