Toyota boosts Scots hydrogen hub 03 | 03 | 2017
TEN TOYOTA MIRAI hydrogen fuel cell saloons are helping Aberdeen strengthen its status as a leading centre for hydrogen power, recruited as efficient zero emission transport for a number of organisations working in the city and the wider Grampian region. (Related: Toyota cuts price of new Prius Plug-in)
The new Mirai form the largest concentration of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the UK and are being leased through the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles fleet support scheme, with support from Transport Scotland.
They will be used by the NHS, Aberdeen City Council, the Co-wheels Car Club and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.
The city has also opened its second hydrogen refuelling station, developing the infrastructure needed to support wider use of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels.
The £2.6 million Aberdeen City Hydrogen Energy Storage (ACHES) facility will serve the city’s expanding fleet of cars and vans. Funded by Aberdeen City Council, ERDF, Transport Scotland and Nestrans, it was built and will be maintained and operated by Hydrogenics.
Paul Van der Burgh, Toyota GB President and managing director, attended the official opening and helped mark the arrival of the new Mirai in Aberdeen.
“We are delighted to welcome the opening of the hydrogen station and are very pleased that our Mirai hydrogen cars will be playing an important role in the Aberdeen City hydrogen strategy, expanding the council’s hydrogen fleet and helping to make zero emission transport a reality,” he said.
The opening of the new facility was also welcomed by Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s Transport Minister,.
“This latest expansion of hydrogen refuelling capabilities in Aberdeen means that a true hydrogen hub now exists in the North East,” Yousaf explained.
“This has been possible through a funding partnership between Scottish Ministers, the European Union and the City Council.
“Congratulations also to the city on their successful bid to OLEV’s hydrogen vehicle support scheme, which will see one of the largest single deployments of zero emission Toyota Mirai vehicles in the country.
“These, along with the bus fleet and other vehicles are a highly visible sign of Scotland’s commitment to a cleaner future for transport.”
Related: First Scots hydrogen centre opens
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Jim McGill
MAIN PICTURE CAPTON: (From left) Hydrogenics CEO Filip Smeets, Councillor Barney Crockett, Toyota GB President Paul Van der Burgh