Hyundai Welcomes Opening Of New Ultra-Green Filling Station

Drivers of Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell, the only fuel cell car on sale in the UK, can now fill up with hydrogen at one of the world’s greenest filling stations, located just off the M1 motorway near Sheffield.

Featuring a wind turbine and water supply, the all-new site is completely self-sufficient. No hydrogen deliveries are needed as the filling station uses wind power combined with water to produce hydrogen.

Situated on The Advanced Manufacturing Park just two miles from the M1 and within easy reach of Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster, the site consists of a 225kW wind turbine coupled directly to an electrolyser, 220kg of hydrogen storage, a hydrogen dispensing unit and even a 30kW fuel cell which is capable of providing backup power for nearby buildings. The site is open to the public and is capable of producing 80kg of hydrogen a day, enough for 16 fuel cell cars in one 24-hour period.

It joins other high-tech facilities in Hendon, Heathrow and Swindon and is the latest new filling station to be opened as part of the British Government’s £6.6 million hydrogen infrastructure investment strategy, which will also see two new stations in the Greater London area, a new mobile refueling station for the south of England and upgrades to existing stations in Swindon, Wales and London.

The opening of the new site comes only a few months after Hyundai announced full pricing for its ix35 Fuel Cell, whichcosts £53,105 OTR (including part-funding from the Europe-wide HyFive project). It is the only fuel cell car on sale in the UK and existing customers include Transport for London, mining company Anglo American and chemical company, Air Products.

The world’s first mass-produced and commercially available fuel cell electric vehicle, it has been sold through central Hyundai channels to selected trial partners since 2013. Already on the road in 15 countries around the world, including 11 in Europe, ix35 Fuel Cell demonstrates the brand’s technical expertise and commitment to ultra-low emission motoring. Hyundai has sold 359 ix35 Fuel Cells worldwide which is in line with the rate of infrastrucure development.

Tony Whitehorn, Hyundai Motor UK CEO, commented, “It is very encouraging indeed that the UK’s hydrogen filling station infrastructure is continually developing. We welcome this ultra-green new site in the north of England, which will serve a very large area and is clearly one of the most advanced sites ever constructed. Hydrogen-powered cars are the future and Hyundai is the leader in the field. This new self-sufficient filling station is exactly what’s needed.”

Dr Graham Cooley, ITM’s chief executive, said: “We are extremely pleased to be launching the first of the company’s hydrogen refuelling stations today, at this very accessible location off the M1 in South Yorkshire, and to provide clean fuel for the fuel cell electric vehicles that are now available from the auto OEMs.”

“Following the strategic forecourt siting agreement last week with Shell, this station will provide important reference for demystifying the ability to utilise renewable energy supply for its efficient conversion to clean fuel for clean transport emissions.”