Revolutionary hydrogen technology used by the Ministry of Defence is 'key enabler' for electric cars
Flt Lt Richard Griffiths, Defence Support Innovation Project Manager, briefing staff at Colchester Garrison
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The Ministry of Defence has made a "significant step forward" in using hydrogen to power its electric vehicle fleet as experts praise the advancement.
Hydrogen is being used as a fuel to power charging facilities for roughly 120,000 miles of travel with its electric vehicles.
This is part of the Defence's future energy mix, with hydrogen providing an opportunity to "influence operations at home and overseas".
The Ministry added that it provides resilience and mobility in off-grid and compromised locations as it plans to roll out further changes.
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Hydrogen Power Units provided by GeoPura for the Ministry of Defence
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Following the successful trial, new initiatives focused on hydrogen are planned to allow Defence to use it as an energy system.
The trial was first introduced in August 2023 at three sites - RAF Leeming, Devonport Naval Base and Merville Barracks in Colchester - and later extended to HMS Excellent Portsmouth and RAF Northolt.
It uses Hydrogen Power Units (HPU) to convert hydrogen into electricity, which is then harnessed to charge electric vehicles via fast-charging posts.
The Ministry said the HPUs provide a reliable and environmentally friendly source of power to ensure their its vehicles can be charged quickly with zero emissions.
Commenting on the trial, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Support Operations), Air Vice-Marshal Rich Pratley said: "In embracing innovative solutions like hydrogen power, the Ministry of Defence has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and as the trial has proved, to improving operational efficiency.
"This trial has demonstrated the potential of hydrogen as a key enabler of our transition to zero-emissions energy, while also addressing the current challenges posed by our expanding electric vehicle fleet."
The MoD is looking to have a fully electric fleet of non-operations vehicles by the end of 2027 with its car and van fleet expected to be zero emission.
The "white fleet" includes non-operations vehicles including cars and vans under 3.5 tonnes, which are leased through the Phoenix II Contract.
According to former Minister of State for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge MP, 745 of the MoD's vehicles were electric, making up 5.86 per cent of the vehicles in the white fleet, as of June 2023.
There are a further 1,414 hybrid vehicles which contribute to the target of 100 per cent of the fleet having Ultra Low Emission Vehicles.
The hydrogen work was part of a joint endeavour between Defence Support within Strategic Command, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Front Line Commands (FLC), delivered in partnership with industry experts, GeoPura.
Matt Barney, chief hydrogen business officer for GeoPura, said: "GeoPura HPUs and supply of green hydrogen provide a seamless solution to these challenges.
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Gp Capt Gareth Prendergast, previous Station Commander for RAF Leeming speaking with GeoPura
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"By harnessing the power of green hydrogen, our generators ensure rapid charging with zero harmful emissions, completely unrestricted by grid limitations.
"This not only facilitates the widespread adoption of EVs but also contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable future."