Tarmac's hydrogen vehicle 'first'

868 Tarmac, continuing its focus on sustainability and exploring alternative fuels, says it is the first company in the quarrying and aggregates industry to trial hydrogen powered-vehicles.

The trial is part of a research project to compare their viability and performance against petrol and electric vehicles.

Trial hydrogen powered-vehicles

The company is working with energy and storage clean fuel company ITM to carry out Hydrogen On Site Trials (HOST) using the company's innovative Transportable Hydrogen Refuelling Station (HFuel), at Tarmac's Cavenham site, near Bury St Edmonds in County Suffolk, eastern England.

Dr Martyn Kenny, director of sustainability at Tarmac said: "Tarmac has a long-term commitment to reducing our carbon emissions, including those from our vehicle fleet. We're proud to be leading the way by exploring new technologies, so it is important that we test the performance and viability of the latest alternative fuels, like this hydrogen vehicle. The results of this trial will help us to make informed decisions about our fleet in the future."

Built with support from the 2896 Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and launched in September 2010, HFuel is transportable and can be connected into a renewable electricity and water supply to produce a clean fuel at the point of demand or a supply of green electricity. The fuel delivered to the vehicle is then carbon free and no atmospheric carbon emissions result from its use.

The HOST project comprises the operation and refuelling of two Revolve Technologies hydrogen 4568 Ford Transit vehicles, with hydrogen produced on site at the point of use.

869 ITM Power CEO Graham Cooley, said: "The trial at Tarmac shows how hydrogen can play an important role in transport logistics operations for the aggregates and construction industry today."