Vans that use hydrogen to fuel an internal combustion engine rather than used in fuel cells to power batteries have arrived on the UK market, albeit in very small numbers.

They will cost £45,000 more than the standard petrol-fuelled equivalent models.

The Royal Mail is to trial two of the new converted Ford Transit vans,while the manufacturer attempts to find buyers.

The vans are built by specialist engineering firm Revolve, but as Paul Turner technical director at the company admitted, selling them wasn’t going to be easy.

“There is no re-fuelling infrastructure and the garages won’t create an infrastructure because there are no hydrogen vans for sale," he said.

"We have decided to stand up and do something and hopefully in the future things will improve.”

The vans have a range of about 85 miles but also retain the original petrol tank, so won’t be left stranded.

Revolve is covering the usual warranty on the engine and hydrogen parts while Ford is guaranteeing the rest.

The vans, based on the 2.3-litre petrol variant, have a supercharger added, while either two or three hydrogen tanks are fitted under the load-floor so not impacting on cargo space.

 

Revolve said it will be offering a discount for bulk buying.