Aberdeen is first in Europe to offer hydrogen powered cars for public use

Aberdeen is marking another clean energy first as the city council's flagship hydrogen programme introduces H2 vehicles to the city's car club.

The city council and car club partner Co-wheels today unveiled the two Hyundai ix35 SUVs during a special event at Marischal College.

Aberdeen City Council secured Transport Scotland funding to buy the Hyundais with a view not only to encouraging businesses and individuals to try out and buy hydrogen vehicles, but also as the next step in building a hydrogen infrastructure in the city and extending the use of hydrogen-fuelled transport in the North-east and Scotland as a whole.

The cars will be made available for public use on a pay-as-you-go basis later this year, following an initial testing period and a series of promotional events.

Lead member for hydrogen Councillor Barney Crockett said: "Today marks another important milestone for Aberdeen and its future-focused Hydrogen Strategy.  "Once again we are demonstrating that by taking the lead on developing and using new and innovative technologies, we can offer environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional methods of transport which rely on fossil fuels.

Councillor Crockett, who chairs the European hydrogen association HyER, added: "Aberdeen is developing a reputation as a 'can-do' hydrogen city. The Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project, which attracted £21million of investment into the city, saw the deployment of Europe's largest hydrogen bus fleet on our streets.

"Aberdeen is renowned as an energy city and for being keen to drive forward new energy technologies and work with countries across the world to secure its future as an energy leader. With these cars, we are taking things to the next level, moving ever closer to becoming a world-leading renewables city and securing a hydrogen economy in Aberdeen, presenting tangible opportunities to the energy industry.

Read more : http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CouncilNews/ci_cns/pr_hydrogen_cars_080316.