The UK Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) has proposed changes to allow drivers to drive heavier vans if powered by low emission technology. These proposed changes to driver licensing rules will make it easier for van drivers to switch to hydrogen vehicles.

Van drivers will be able to operate heavier hydrogen, electric, or gas-powered vehicles without having to apply for a new licence, as part of moves to improve air quality in towns and cities across the country. The reforms are a step towards the government’s aim for nearly all cars and vans on our roads to be zero emission by 2050.

Currently, a motorist with an ordinary category B licence for a car can drive a van weighing up to 3,500kg. Cleaner vans, especially those powered by electricity from batteries, are generally heavier than conventional diesel vans because of the battery they carry. This reduces the amount of goods they can carry or means van drivers have to apply for a category C licence with the associated costs and medical report requirements.

The Department for Transport published plans on 26 July 2017 to allow motorists to drive vans weighing up to 4,250kg if they are powered by hydrogen, electricity, natural gas, or LPG.

Transport Minister Jesse Norman said:

‘Vans have become essential to our economy and are vital for our builders, small businesses and delivery drivers. We have more of them on our roads than ever before. That’s a good sign for the economy, but our challenge is to try to tackle their impact on air quality. We want to make it easier for businesses to opt for cleaner vehicles, and these proposals are designed to do just that.’

Road traffic estimates show there has been a rapid rise in light goods vehicle traffic over the last 20 years, in part powered by the growth in internet shopping. In 2016 vans clocked up 49.1 billion vehicle miles – an increase of 23% when compared with 2006. Vans spend much of their time driving around our towns and cities and over 96% of them are diesel powered so making them greener is essential for people’s health and the environment.

Head of Fleet at Ocado Stuart Skingsley said ‘At Ocado, we are very keen to incorporate the latest low-emission technologies in our vehicle fleet, but we have been unable to do so, due to the extra weight of the technology and category B licence restrictions. This vital derogation would allow us to field the latest alternatively fuelled vans, reducing harmful emissions and improving the UK’s air quality.’

A public consultation is now open on the proposed new measures and will last 12 weeks, closing on 18 October 2017. These measures will help level the playing field by addressing the payload penalty which currently puts operators of cleaner vans at a commercial disadvantage compared to operators of equivalent conventionally-fuelled vehicles.

Original source of the News can be found here!

Source: ITM Power

ITM Power PLC has anounced (on 11th July) that it had signined a contract with Honda (UK), a subsidiary of automobile company Honda Motor Co, under which Honda will purchase hydrogen at GBP 10.0 per kilogram.

According to the new research report by Global Market Insights the Fuel Cell Market  size is expected to reach USD 25.5 billion by 2024; driven by environment friendly and better alternative than existing options.

Global Market Insights, Inc. says:

Global Fuel Cell Market size was more than 180,010 units for 2015 and is predicted to register more than 24.1% of CAGR by end of 2024. Government support to create hydrogen power stations is predicted to drive the demand for fuel cell technology. Rise in vehicle production by automakers has favorably influenced the industry and acquired focus of international bodies on fuel cell electric vehicles. Further, strict rules promoting zero emission automobiles along with growing public transport is projected to favorably affect global industry growth during forecast timeline.

Fuel cells are preferred over traditional sources of energy due to low carbon emissions and less noise. Normal fuel cell items produce less sound while functioning as compared to traditional sources of energy. Further, stationary fuel cell systems require less space as compared to other sources of clean energy and this have driven the growth of stationary fuel cell market globally. Growing demand for portable power source is predicted to drive industry demand during forecast timeline.

Product Insights

Global industry is segmented into various products like direct methanol fuel cell , solid oxide fuel cell and proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Direct methanol fuel cell segment is predicted to register more than 4.1% of CAGR. These cells find their use in portable power source where energy density and power are more vital than efficacy.

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) segment is predicted to touch $3.1 billion mark by end of 2024. High level of efficacy, low carbon emissions, elasticity, stability and comparative less price which is predicted to boost the demand for this fuel cell type.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell produced revenue of more than $2.1 billion for 2015. This product is extensively used in stationary and transportation applications. In addition to this, it also provides high electric efficacy and substantial power to area proportion & is easily accessible across various watts making it a preferable choice in transportation application.

Application Insights

The industry is segmented into various applications like stationary application, portable application and transportation application. Stationary application contributed $2 billion for 2015 and it dominates the application segment due to its environment friendly features and efficacy. It is mainly used as backup power station in hotel, residence, school, commercial building and hospital.

Portable application segment is predicted to register more than 7.1% of CAGR during forecast timeline. Growing demand for portable charger as power source for consumer electronic items like camera, laptop, cell phone, smart phone and iphone are predicted to promote portable fuel cell market trends.

Transportation application segment is predicted to contribute $1.31 billion in terms of revenue by end of 2024 registering a CAGR of more than 22.11% during forecast period. Increase in research & development activities by firms along with growing government support to integrate effective technology in automobiles like truck, car and bus are predicted to promote global fuel cell market outlook in this segment.

Regional Insights

Global industry is segmented into key geographical regions like North America, , Europe, APAC, MEA and Latin America. North American industry produced revenue of more than $891 million for 2015. U.S. contributed maximum revenue to the North America fuel cell market. Regional industry demand is mainly promoted by constant monetary support from DOE (Department of Energy). Further, favorable government policy promoting renewable power to regulate carbon emissions is the key factor stimulating industry growth in the region.

European industry is predicted to register moderate CAGR of more than 3.51%. Commercialization of fuel cell electric vehicles along with huge consumer base in region is predicted to promote industry growth during forecast timeline. Drifting highlight towards hydrogen as transportation fuel in countries like Norway and Denmark can supplement the growth of the industry in Europe.

APAC fuel call market share is predicted to grow up to $14.1 billion by end of 2024 registering CAGR of more than 24.1% during forecast timeframe. Strict government norms along with increasing use of hydrogen as fuel in vehicles can positively contribute towards regional industry expansion.

Competitive Insights

Key industry players profiled in the report include Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology, AFC Energy PLC, Aisin Seiki Company Limited, Arcola Energy, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, Hydrogenics Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Ballard Power Systems Incorporation, Bloom Energy, Plug Power, UTC Power, SFC Energy AG, Toshiba, Ceres Power Holding, Nuvera Fuel Cells, Arcola Energy and HES Energy Solutions.

Key industry players are using key business strategies like mergers & acquisitions to reduce competition and increase their geographical presence.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.fractovia.org/request-sample/151

See News Source: www.gminsights.com/pressrelease/fuel-cell-market

The Hydrogen and Fuel Cells SUPERGEN Hub is pleased to announce the Visiting Researcher Scheme to enable researcher exchange between industry and academia, or academia and government. The aim of this scheme is to promote closer collaboration with academic research in the fields of hydrogen and fuel cells.

This scheme provides funds of up to £6,000 for researchers interested in an exchange between industry and academia, or academia and government to cover the direct costs of this exchange (such as travel, accommodation and subsistence).

The scheme will be open for applications until end of October 2016, but please note that limited funds are available and that the scheme will be closed once all the funds are committed. The duration of the exchange is flexible, however a minimum of 1 month and maximum of 5 months is generally expected. All spend must be completed by the end of March 2017.

For further information and for eligibility for application please see the Call: H2FC SUPERGEN Call for Proposal for the ‘Visiting Researcher Scheme’

All applications should be submitted to h2fc@imperial.ac.uk. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Zeynep Kurban on this email.