Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to reform the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation to incentivise the use of hydrogen vehicles.

The renewable transport fuel obligation covers a wide range of fuels, all renewable and low carbon. Since 2018, renewable hydrogen has been eligible for “development fuel certificates” under the RTFO. This means it receives a higher level of reward compared to conventional renewable fuels. Last year we consulted on proposals to support new ways to supply hydrogen under the RTFO. We expect to publish the government response to this consultation shortly.

The RTFO supports supply of fuels and does not directly support the deployment of vehicles. My department has a range of support mechanisms to encourage early adopters of hydrogen vehicles. These are projects like the Tees Valley Hydrogen Hub, competitions including the Zero Emission Road Freight Trials (ZERFT) and modal support schemes like the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme which has contributed to the ordering of a significant number of new hydrogen buses.