COVID-19 has reduced demand for bus and train travel in the UK by more than 70% which means that the sector relies on large subsidies just to keep operating. At the same time, the Government's net zero objective requires dramatic reductions in carbon emissions from public transport. There is a significant risk that the economic impact of the virus may lead to the deferral of the important investments required to deliver a low carbon public transport network.

Before the virus hit, bus companies were beginning to use hydrogen buses on long distance journeys and train operators were assessing which lines are suitable for conversion to hydrogen. However, concerns over the availability of affordable, low carbon hydrogen were delaying the adoption of this important technology. It is possible that the additional uncertainty caused by COVID-19 may halt the development of hydrogen in public transport completely. This would substantially reduce the probability of the sector meeting its net zero objectives.

The Biohydrogen for Public Transport Project will assess the technical, environmental and economic performance of hydrogen made from household waste to assess whether it can supply train and bus operators with an affordable fuel that gives them the confidence to convert routes to hydrogen. This will help them work towards Net Zero targets while recovering from the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses.

The project will leverage Advanced Biofuel Solutions' gasification plant in Swindon and University College London's Electrochemical Innovation Lab to develop a pathway for the production of transport grade, low carbon hydrogen at a price that means hydrogen trains and buses can compete with diesel vehicles. If successful, the project will show that household waste can be converted into high purity hydrogen with a very small carbon footprint. This will lead to the production of significant quantities of hydrogen in 2021\.

In addition, the project will develop innovative approaches for operating and testing proton exchange membrane fuel cells, an strategically important technology as hydrogen plays an increasingly important role in the UK's energy landscape.

COVID-19 has reduced the innovation funding available to University College London and Advanced Biofuel Solutions because of a reduction in student numbers and the additional costs from dealing with the virus. This grant will allow both organisations to continue important research activities that would not be possible without new incremental support.

The Climate Change Committee recognises that the production of hydrogen represents one the the most environmentally beneficial uses of waste and that hydrogen is the most sustainable fuel for some public transport journeys. This project will develop these concepts and provide public transport service providers with the confidence they require to invest in low carbon vehicles despite the uncertainties caused by COVID-19\.