Written question WQ93266
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 5 days
Question
What provisions does the Welsh Government plan to put in place to accommodate hydrogen vehicles, due to their increasing feasibility as a replacement for traditional petrol and diesel vehicles?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport
We recognise that the longer-term role for hydrogen in transport is still somewhat unclear, however, it could offer a solution where other technologies such as battery powered vehicles face challenges.
We do know that hydrogen buses will be required as part of our replacement of the bus fleet in Wales and we are in the final stages of developing a pathfinder project in South West Wales to deploy a number of fuel cell electric buses. We are also working with the Holyhead Hydrogen Hub and the Hynet project in North Wales, exploring the potential for transport demand for hydrogen. The potential role of Hydrogen in decarbonising Heavy Duty Vehicles is being considered as part of our Wales Commercial Vehicle Decarbonisation Programme with a wide group of stakeholders.
We are also engaging with partners leading on the trial of hydrogen technology on the M4 as part of the UK Government’s Zero Emission Heavy Goods Vehicles and Infrastructure Demonstrators (ZEHID).