Hydrogen Power v Battery debate
Arguments over the relative virtues of Hydrogen versus Battery-powered vehicles have been kicking around for over 50 years. But a combination of growing public alarm about global warming and commercial expediency have put solving the riddle at the top of the political agenda. Governments around the world, including the UK, have set ambitious targets and deadlines for reducing carbon emissions, but the pressure to deliver on these promises will fall mostly on those companies standing in the firing line.
Although huge sums of money are being thrown at the problem, the signs are not encouraging because we do not have a joined-up, agreed strategy. Commitments vary internationally, too. In Europe, for example, most major countries are way ahead of the UK when it comes to electrification of the railways. Leaked to the Telegraph newspaper, a confidential report from Network Rail to Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, revealed that just 39% of the UK’s rail networks is currently electrified; this compares to over 60% in Italy, Spain and Germany.
The same report recommends that £30bn be spent over the next 30 years on making our railways ‘greener’; 12,500km of track is to be electrified, but only 1,400km will carry trains powered by hydrogen and 1,000km by battery-power. Network Rail, which managed to overspend its Control Period 5 (April 2014-March 2019) budget by £10bn – plus borrow a further £20bn – is still spending out on projects that should have been completed years ago. The reality is that it should be investing in new technology to equip our railways for what we know lies ahead. With this attitude, we will forever be locked in the past.
And it’s not just about the rail network. A major research study from US investment bank Goldman Sachs reports that one of Europe’s leading aerospace experts is calling on the UK to recommit to the aerospace industry by supporting the EU’s ‘Hydrogen Energy Network’ to stand alongside the Governments in Paris and Berlin.
Which brings us back to the Hydrogen v Battery debate. It is widely estimated that, although others may be starting to catch up, China is easily the most dominant force in producing vehicle batteries with 55% of the global market. Surely, it must be in the UK’s interests to develop the alternative of Hydrogen power when all the scientific evidence suggests that this is the way to go anyway. What’s holding us back?
By Angus Dent – Chairman of RSP