The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) has successfully completed a landmark hydrogen power trial to further advance its electric vehicle rollout.

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Run in collaboration with GeoPura, the trial successfully introduced and utilised hydrogen on military bases to generate electricity to recharge electric cars and vans using rapid chargers.

While the technology is already used in the commercial environment, it marks the first military application, heralding a significant milestone in advancing alternative energy solutions for defence.

The trial implemented zero-emission green hydrogen-powered generators (HPUs) from GeoPura at five key MOD locations. These include RAF Leeming, HMNB Devonport, Merville Barracks Colchester, HMS Excellent Portsmouth and RAF Northolt.

The project successfully showed how the solution could improve operational efficiency while supporting the MOD’s commitment to sustainability.

Air Vice-Marshal Rich Pratley, the MOD’s senior responsible owner for this project, said: “This trial has demonstrated the potential of hydrogen as a key enabler of our transition to zero-emissions energy, while also addressing the current challenges posed by our expanding electric vehicle fleet.”

The generators are designed to deliver a highly reliable, ‘always on’, environmentally friendly source of power to provide a “limitless scaling” of rapid charging infrastructure.

Matt Barney, chief hydrogen business officer at GeoPura, explained: “By harnessing the power of green hydrogen, our generators ensure rapid charging with zero harmful emissions, completely unrestricted by grid limitations. This not only facilitates the widespread adoption of EVs but also contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable future for defence operations on a wider scale. One that protects the health of both its people and the future of the planet.”

The HPUs delivered a mix of AC and fast DC charging capabilities, operating at differing charging speeds to align with operational requirements, both completely off grid and supplementing existing grid capacity for long- and short-term durations across the project.

Over the course of the trial, vehicles charged by the HPUs drove some 120,000 miles, indicating that hydrogen is a robust, reliable and sustainable alternative to support increasing electricity demand within the forces.

GeoPura has said it’s committed to furthering the use of hydrogen across defence sites and will use the findings from the trial to drive ongoing research and development efforts.

This includes the development of smaller, more mobile hydrogen systems suited for shorter deployments, as well as larger, more power-dense systems to meet the diverse needs of the operations both in the UK and abroad.