Hydrogen and electric trucks will be mass-produced in the UK by an Essex-based company.
Thurrock-based Tevva has added a hydrogen fuel cell system to its HGV design with electric battery and, depending on the launch, the 7.5-ton truck can be driven up to 310 miles ( 500 km).
Founder and CEO Asher Bennett said: “When a zero-emission truck makes more miles a day, that’s very good for the air we breathe, for the planet, and for the economy of running electric trucks.
“Every mile you drive with an electric truck, it’s a lot cheaper than driving with a diesel truck.
“If you’re worried about range and you don’t drive many miles, you’re just not saving enough money as you could.”
Hydrogen is more expensive and more difficult to obtain than electricity and Mr. Bennett said the new truck’s main fuel will continue to be its electric battery, which is recharged overnight.
The addition of the alternative power supply will “eliminate the concern” that the battery may run out of power, he said.
“No fleet operator will put a truck in the morning that will approach the limits of its reach,” Bennett said.
“Which means putting an electric truck at a much shorter range than it could have done.”
He added that the hydrogen-powered truck will become popular for fleet operators in Europe and North America.
Tevva is offering “affordable” hydrogen supplies to customers, and refueling takes a similar time to a diesel tank.
Read more: The government’s energy plans to make hydrogen from fossil fuels The UK needs more “purified” hydrogen-powered cars. Current government policy will lose the net zero goal
The sale of diesel-powered trucks will be banned in 2040 and Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said hydrogen fuel cells will be “vital to help decarbonise transport”.
“A thriving UK hydrogen industry could not only help us meet our climate change obligations, but could also support thousands of jobs across the country in the coming years.” , he said.
“UK-based manufacturers like Tevva continue to leverage the skills and experience we have in hydrogen in the UK, developing new technologies, supporting economic growth and working towards net zero.”