Welsh First for Energy Efficient Travel

With its green valleys and beautiful countryside, it seems fitting that Wales has recently been classed as a Low Carbon Economic Area (LCEA). This means that the whole country will set an example to the rest of the UK and Europe in how to make the most of low carbon fuels, such as natural gas, methane and hydrogen in the vehicles on its roads. If all goes to plan, hydrogen and other fuels could become as mainstream as petrol and oil.

One of the more ambitious plans put forward by the Welsh parliament is their project to convert the M4, which runs into Wales from the west of England, into a 'hydrogen highway'. Instead of just having petrol and diesel stations, its motorway services will also provide alternative fuels. The idea behind the scheme is to increase the coverage of hydrogen, electricity and LPG fuelling points, so that hybrid cars and those cars running on renewable fuels will find it easy and convenient to stay topped up in that part of Wales. There is currently an agreement to extend the refuelling stations along the M4 in England and, eventually to extend the scheme as far as Swindon and up into the midlands, on roads other than the M4.

Wales Leads the Way in Alternative Fuels

South Wales already has two filling stations that offer a multi-fuel approach, one in Baglan and one in Treforest. Completing the new refuelling stations along the M4 is expected to take about 5 years but then, this part of the M4 in Wales and western England will be the longest stretch of road available for hydrogen cars anywhere in the world. To encourage use of the refuelling stations, the Welsh government also intends to support research and development in refining hydrogen vehicle design and fuel development.

This is an ambitious plan and not everyone is convinced that it will meet expectations: some experts point out that hydrogen is very expensive to produce. They also caution that there is no firm evidence yet that there will be enough cars running on hydrogen in 2015 to warrant a superhighway with so many hydrogen fuelling stations.

Validating Alternative Technology

If the plan does come to fruition and the M4 does get frequent stations for hydrogen filling, electric refuelling, LPG and biogas, it will become an ideal testing ground for new hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles produced in the UK. The Welsh government hopes that this will stimulate the British motor industry to become more innovative and original in its approach to making alternative fuel vehicles more of a reality. Reducing carbon emissions from transport is important for meeting the UK’s targets on emission reduction.

Attracting Investment

Wales also hopes that supporting such a forward looking scheme will make investors from the motor industry in the UK and further afield more likely to invest in Wales. Such investment should provide jobs for an area hard hit by the closure of the coal mines 30 years ago. The project certainly seems to have got off to a good start. At around the same time that the announcement of the hydrogen highway was made in early 2010, the University of Glamorgan also sent out a press release outlining its intention to commit over £6m in new investment to develop new low-carbon technologies. It is already planning a test site for hydrogen engine development at Port Talbot in South Wales, which will be located within a couple of miles of the M4 hydrogen highway.

Our Facebook Fan Page

Why not join the EnergySavingSecrets Fan Page so we can keep you up to speed with our thoughts and maybe you can share yours or ask a question (there's a join button up on the left!)...