Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 109
Hydrogen has a modest but potentially critical role to play in decarbonising the rail network,...
Recommendation
Hydrogen has a modest but potentially critical role to play in decarbonising the rail network, where electrification is not suitable or cannot be delivered in time to contribute towards meeting Net Zero. Whilst trials and demonstration projects are underway in hydrogen trains, there is no clear plan to develop the role of hydrogen in this sector. Some countries, such as Austria and Germany, are already using hydrogen trains. In response to this Report, the Government should set out the lessons it has learned from the use of hydrogen trains overseas and how it will use this information in trials of hydrogen trains in the UK. In response to this Report, the Government should set out the lessons it has learned from the use of hydrogen trains overseas and how it will use this information in trials of hydrogen trains in the UK.
Government Response Summary
DfT officials will continue to liaise with international colleagues to understand their approaches to hydrogen trains and the lessons they have learned from deploying them and will use learnings from international colleagues to shape any future hydrogen train trials supported by government.
Paragraph Reference:
109
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The deployment of hydrogen trains overseas is generally at an early stage. DfT officials will continue to liaise with international colleagues to understand their approaches to hydrogen trains and the lessons they have learned from deploying them. Hydrogen technologies are included in the scope of the First of a Kind scheme, which offers support for the development of projects that will help decarbonise the railway or reduce harmful emissions. DfT officials will use learnings from international colleagues to shape any future hydrogen train trials supported by government.