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Honda Opens Hydrogen Refueling Station in Swindon

A decade ago, it seemed that alternative fuel sources would be the way of the future, and few automakers were really concerned with electric vehicles. Sure GM and a couple of other automakers had a crack at it, but Mercedes invested heavily in hydrogen fuel cells.
Hydrogen was also interesting for Japanese automaker Honda, and the company has thus opened the first access hydrogen vehicle refueling station in Britain at its manufacturing facility in Swindon. Built and operated by industrial gases company BOC, a member of The Linde Group, the venture is the result of a partnership between Honda, BOC and economic development company Forward Swindon.

The station is open to all who own ore are developing a car powered by this fuel. It can fill vehicles at both 350 bar and 700 bar, the two customary filling pressures adopted by the world’s major vehicle manufacturers.

“The change from conventional transport systems to sustainable, low carbon alternatives is one that can only be made through businesses and government working in partnership to develop innovative solutions. This new refueling station gives a real glimpse of the role hydrogen can play in practice. It is a great example of the kind of collaboration and innovation we need,” said Richard Kemp-Harper, Lead Technologist for Transport and Energy at the Technology Strategy Board.

“This is the first commercial-scale, open-access station in the UK. It demonstrates that we can build the infrastructure needed to establish a hydrogen-powered transport system. But even with private and public support – as we have here in Swindon – we need Government commitment to make this work across the country as a whole. We can provide the tools but the Government has to create the policy framework in which we can build the low carbon infrastructure of tomorrow,” added Mike Huggon, Managing Director of BOC in the UK and Ireland.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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