Hydrogen freight infrastructure takes shape along the M4

Britain’s first hydrogen-fuelled freight corridor has been announced, as plans progress to deploy hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicles on the M4 between London and Bristol next summer.

The HyHaul project, supported by government funding, aims to introduce a fleet of 30 hydrogen fuel cell lorries by mid-2026, with ambitions to scale this number tenfold by 2030. 

To support the corridor, three new hydrogen refuelling stations will be installed near Reading, Avonmouth and a third location yet to be confirmed. Fuel Cell Systems, based in Hungerford, is leading the development of these sites. The company is known for its compact “Hy-cube” systems, which integrate all the components required to dispense hydrogen in a unit no larger than a garden shed.

Chief Executive Dr Lee Juby explained that the next-generation refuelling units designed for HGVs will significantly increase capacity:

This is ten times the scale of our smaller systems, and it’s what’s needed to refuel heavy goods vehicles efficiently along the M4 corridor. 

Hydrogen for the project will be produced in Swansea using renewable electricity, before being transported in pressurised containers to the refuelling sites.

Jon Perry, Senior Commercial Manager at HyHaul Mobility, described the development of the corridor as an essential milestone:

Building this infrastructure is a key step in enabling zero-emission freight and proving hydrogen technology can work at scale.

The project is expected to demonstrate the advantages of hydrogen over battery-electric systems for long-haul transport, including faster refuelling times and greater payload capacity. Plans are also being explored to extend the corridor network along the M5 and routes to the Port of Southampton, supporting the UK’s transition towards cleaner, more sustainable logistics.

Read more: Firms show off hydrogen-fuelled road network tech