A £4.2m scheme to build a high-volume hydrogen refuelling station at Teesside International Airport has been announced today (2 August) by Element 2.

The project is being delivered as part of a strategic alliance between Element 2, which builds hydrogen refuelling stations, Teesside International Airport and Innervated Vehicle Engineering (IVe), which is developing a fuel cell electric van.

The large-scale hydrogen refuelling station will supply green hydrogen and aims to cut 240,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.

It is set to open in 2024 and will support a range of long-term trials of electric fuel cell commercial vans, led by IVe. Tees Valley Airport will also be trialling passenger cars and airside support vehicles.

Element 2 said the Teeside Airport hydrogen refuelling station will turn Tees Valley into a hub for zero-emission transportation and cutting-edge airside operations.

The scheme is being supported by a grant from Innovate UK. This latest award marks a hat trick of government support for Element 2 this year and a total funding boost of nearly £2.5m.

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Tim Harper, Element 2 chief executive, said: "Following on from our previous refuelling investments in Teesside, we are excited to be developing this hydrogen refuelling station in the region and taking real tangible action in the fight against climate change.

"The strategic location of Teesside Airport, with its proximity to key transport links and major freight depots, provides the perfect platform for this project.

He added: "As we expand the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure throughout the UK, projects such as this empower fleet operators to gain proficiency in running zero-emission HGVs. We are looking forward to collaborating with an increasing number of fleets across the region.

"Heavy goods vehicles are responsible for almost a third of the UK's transport emissions, and this allows us to accelerate the shift away from diesel, providing real environmental and health benefits.”