Is Hydrogen Fuel the Future for UK Heavy Vehicles?

Where Heavy Vehicles Meet Zero Emission Transport

Picture a row of heavy trucks and double-decker buses lining up — but instead of pumping diesel, they’re topping up with clean hydrogen fuel. In Tees Valley, this isn’t a concept drawing in a lab; it’s a working system putting green hydrogen on real roads every day.

Backed by more than £15 million in UK government funding, the Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub is the country’s first multi-modal hydrogen site testing real fleets in daily use. Transport remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise, with HGVs and buses responsible for a large share of the UK’s carbon emissions. Batteries work well for cars but often fall short for vehicles that need longer ranges, heavy payloads, and quick refuelling. That’s where Tees Valley’s multi-modal Hydrogen Transport Hub steps in — showing how hydrogen fuel could power the UK’s next generation of zero emission transport.

 How the Tees Valley Hydrogen Hub Works

• Production: Local facilities create green hydrogen by splitting water using renewable electricity, leaving no carbon footprint.

• Infrastructure: New refuelling stations serve hydrogen-powered buses, trucks, and HGVs on daily routes.

• Operation: Vehicles run on busy roads across Teesside, providing real data under real conditions.

• Research: An on-site campus collects performance data to help shape the UK’s national approach to hydrogen vehicles.

This “living lab” proves hydrogen works not just for cars, but for the heavy fleets that keep supply chains moving.

 Why Hydrogen Fuel Matters for Heavy Vehicles

Heavy vehicles have unique needs: long-haul ranges, quick turnarounds, and the capacity to move big loads. Relying solely on batteries can limit performance and add downtime that logistics operators can’t afford.

Hydrogen fuel offers a different path. Hydrogen vehicles use fuel cells to generate electricity on board, producing only water vapour. When that hydrogen comes from renewables, the entire chain stays genuinely low carbon.

Key Advantages for Fleets

• Fast refuelling: Similar to diesel, not hours on a charger.
• Longer range: Better for regional or national haulage.
• Cleaner air: Water vapour instead of harmful exhaust.
• Scalability: Suitable for trucks, buses, and even ships and trains.

 A Real Example: How It Looks on the Ground

In Tees Valley, hydrogen is already moving people and goods. Hydrogen double-decker buses now run daily routes through Middlesbrough and Stockton, slashing local air pollution while operating just like any diesel bus. Meanwhile, local haulage firms are shifting HGVs to hydrogen, using purpose-built stations that slot into their existing routes.

These vehicles collect vital data on cost, safety, and performance. This information will help UK planners and companies expand zero emission transport for the toughest sectors to decarbonise.

Q&A: What People Ask About Hydrogen Vehicles

Is hydrogen fuel safe for trucks and buses?

Yes. Hydrogen tanks and fuel cells must meet strict global safety standards and endure crash and leak testing. Many cities have safely run hydrogen buses for years.

Is green hydrogen really zero emission?

When made with renewable energy, yes. Using wind or solar to split water creates hydrogen with no carbon by-products.

What’s next for Tees Valley’s hub?

The hub will expand into other modes like hydrogen-powered trains and ships, using lessons from trucks and buses to push cleaner transport further.