The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 43: June/July 2019 | Page 4

BUSINESS NEWS
SWINDON DRIVING HYDROGEN VEHICLE REVOLUTION
With eyes firmly set on a cleaner, greener future for automotive transport, Swindon
has been exploring the use of hydrogen vehicles to help meet the needs of the region.
Hydrogen vehicles use zero-emission
technology with the only by-product being
pure water vapour. It is hoped that the
technology could hold the key to drastically
reducing emissions throughout the UK.
Fleet car company Arval and Swindon’s
strategic public sector and private
partnership The Hydrogen Hub have been
working together to help promote the
development and use of hydrogen vehicles,
flying the flag for Swindon as a hub for this
revolutionary technology.
The Hydrogen Hub researches the
viability of fuel cell technology for a range
of domestic, commercial and transport
applications in real-world conditions.
Alongside Arval it has recently showcased
the latest hydrogen car technology at
a series of roadshows joined by motor
manufacturers including Riversimple, Toyota
and Hyundai.
Swindon is already improving the
infrastructure around the town ready for the
hydrogen vehicle revolution with the creation
of two hydrogen fuelling stations, one
close to the Honda site and one at Johnson
Matthey by junction 16 of the M4.
Swindon-based Hyundai dealership,
Pebley Beach has been awarded the
distribution rights for the first batch of
Hyundai’s new Nexo SUV throughout the
UK. The Nexo will take its driver and 4
passengers from 0 to 62 in 9.54 seconds
and is capable of a top speed of 111mph.
It has a range of over 400 miles and its 3
hydrogen fuel tanks can be refilled in around
5 minutes.
Dominic Threlfall, managing director
of Hyundai Pebley Beach, said, “My Nexo
has done 139 miles and says it has cleaned
enough air for 6 humans to breath for a day.
It’s an exciting time for a newly emerging
sector of the car market. Hydrogen is a
highly sustainable technology and the
market is set to grow exponentially over
the next ten years. I’m delighted that both
Swindon and Hyundai are at the forefront of
this new technology.”
In addition, the Arval – Hydrogen Hub
partnership is also helping to inspire the next
generation with the creation of a new set of
teaching resources focusing on hydrogen
and fuel cell technology.
The education pack supports the
Chemistry element of Triple Science
for GCSE students, providing teachers
with a learning resource that is freely
downloadable online.
The pack introduces pupils to fuel cells as a
solution to tackling climate change. Following
a successful launch at two Swindon schools,
Bradon Forest and Nova Hreod Academy, the
resource is available to view and download on
the teacher resource website, TES.
“My Nexo has done 139 miles and says
it has cleaned enough air for 6 humans
to breath for a day”
Come in and see a future mobility solution
Pebley Beach Hyundai West Swindon Motor Park, Swindon SN5 7SB 01793 816800
www.pebley.co.uk
Watch the NEXO showcase video here: pebley.uk/nexo
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THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019