Hydrogen Mobility UK: Addressing Safety, Cost, and Market Adoption Challenges
Hydrogen fuels in the UK face significant challenges in safety, cost, and market adoption, even though they have the potential for zero-emission transport. Solving these issues is crucial for expanding hydrogen mobility and reaching the UK’s net-zero goals.
Safety: Regulations and Mitigation Strategies
Hydrogen’s low density and flammability require strict safety protocols:
Vehicle safety
Modern hydrogen cars like the Hyundai Nexo have 5-star Euro NCAP ratings, with 94% occupant protection scores. This helps to ease concerns about crash safety.
Refueling protocols
Stations follow strict procedures. These include earthing vehicles to prevent static sparks and using leak-detection systems that vent hydrogen upward.
Storage regulations
The UK’s Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulations require detailed safety plans for facilities storing over 5 tonnes of hydrogen, with additional measures for those storing over 50 tonnes.
These measures ensure that handling hydrogen meets or exceeds standard fuel safety requirements.
Cost Barriers and Economic Solutions
The high cost of hydrogen comes from production and infrastructure:
Fuel costs
At £10–£15 per kg, hydrogen costs around £0.20 per mile. This is higher than petrol (£0.14–£0.18) or home-charged electric vehicles (£0.05–£0.07).
Production challenges
Electricity makes up 70% of green hydrogen costs, with other system expenses (like grid fees) pushing prices to £241 per MWh. This is well above the target of under £100 per MWh.
Infrastructure investment
The limited number of refueling stations (fewer than 15 nationwide) increases operational complexity and costs.
Solutions:
- Government subsidies for electrolysis to lower electricity costs.
- Scaled production to reduce costs through economies of scale and technological improvements.
Market Adoption: Infrastructure and Perception Hurdles
Key barriers include:
Infrastructure gaps
76% of UK transport operators list hydrogen storage as a barrier to deployment, while 36% mention the lack of refueling stations.
Grid constraints
Ports and industrial areas—ideal locations for hydrogen hubs—face electricity grid limitations, making it harder to set up electrolysers.
Industry skepticism
Although 84% of UK auto leaders support hydrogen’s potential for decarbonization, 35–36% point to “access to green hydrogen” and “service stations” as obstacles to adoption.
Strategies for Accelerating Adoption
Infrastructure expansion
Focus on building refueling stations in regional clusters to serve fleets and public transport.
Renewable integration
Place electrolysers near offshore wind farms to reduce electricity costs and emissions.
Public-private partnerships
Expand pilot projects (like the Teesside hydrogen ecosystem) to show reliability and safety.
Policy support
Streamline regulations and funding for storage innovations like salt caverns and liquid organic carriers.
Learn more about UK hydrogen initiatives: Government hydrogen strategy and hydrogen technology developments.
Conclusion
Hydrogen fuels in the UK can overcome safety, cost, and adoption challenges through strict regulations, targeted subsidies, and focused infrastructure investment. Even though there are still high costs and infrastructure gaps, coordinated efforts between the government and industry are helping hydrogen become a practical and scalable part of the UK’s zero-emission transport future.