The UK Government’s Hydrogen for Transport Advancement Programme is funding the development of 12 hydrogen refuelling stations, a significant first step towards an initial national network of 65 stations. The first of the 12 stations are already complete and fully operational, the remainder will be operational before the end of 2016. Now that the stations are coming on-line the Government is launching a £2m Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Fleet Support Scheme competition.

The competition is open to public sector fleets and to individual private enterprise fleets. It will provide support for vehicles deployed up until 30 April 2017 and for the cost of operating them for up to 3 years. Support will be available for the costs of: purchasing, leasing or renting vehicles, insurance, hydrogen fuel, fleet management, vehicle servicing, driver familiarisation, reporting and dissemination of experience. The deadline for bids for funding is 4 July 2016 and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) will be holding a workshop for potential applicants on 27 May. The aim is to announce successful bidders at the beginning of August 2016.

Guidance for organisations applying for funding under this competition can be found here