New research carried out as part of European Hydrogen Week (23-27 November) found a significant proportion of British workers would be happy to pay more to reduce their carbon footprint.
Two in five (41%) UK commuters would pay an additional £1 per day to lower their carbon footprint.
However, there was a mixed reaction to hydrogen fuels. Only 51% said they would be willing to travel to work on a vehicle or train powered by hydrogen to lower their carbon footprint and only 52% of UK respondents said they would consider buying or renting a car powered by hydrogen fuel even if it were priced similarly to a diesel-powered car.
The survey of 6,000 people across the UK, Belgium and Germany in October 2020 found that due to limited hydrogen refuelers and upfront costs, there is scepticism around when clean passenger cars will become mainstream.
One in five (20%) UK residents estimated it would take 20-30 years, compared to a third of consumers in Germany and more than a quarter in Belgium agreed.
The news comes after the UK Government announced plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans within the next 10 years.
The poll was released by global power leader Cummins Inc. to coincide with hydrogen week. It also found 48% of UK citizens said low-carbon technologies are important for the UK’s economic recovery from COVID-19 compared to more than 40% of citizens in Belgium and Germany.
'It is encouraging to see the citizens and governments across Europe are prioritizing the climate and understand that investment in hydrogen technologies is a path to improve the environment and fuel economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19,' said Amy Adams, vice president of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies at Cummins.
'With both the EU and the UK pledging to be carbon-neutral by 2050, there is, in short, real appetite from policymakers and citizens to make a collective difference. Hydrogen is a key part of Cummins’ portfolio of solutions to help our customers succeed and as a path toward zero emissions.'
When asked about buying or renting a car powered by hydrogen, over a quarter of respondents in Belgium and the UK reported concerns with the upfront cost.
Cummins highlighted that things were moving quicker for hydrogen in public transport.
Alstom’s iLint hydrogen powered train (pictured above) has shown they can be an effective solution and with the right commercial technologies in place, consumers can lower their carbon footprints without facing additional costs, Cummins said.
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