Hydrogen as a transport fuel: opportunities and challenges

Hydrogen has a potential key role to play in a future sustainable energy economy, being considered a promising transport fuel for the longer term that provides scope for working towards a zero-emission economy based on an independent energy supply. Hydrogen technologies for the transport field are currently in the R&D phase, with a wide variety of research programmes and pilot projects being sponsored by both government and industry. At present, the main obstacles to introduction of hydrogen relate to storage, infrastructure and costs. Successful introduction of hydrogen as a transport fuel will require a clear vision on the part of both government and industry, while keeping sight of the fact that ultimately it is the consumer who will decide.