Hydrogen Propulsion Manufacturing Taskforce (H2PMT)

The H2PMT is a joint government-industry initiative aimed at setting out an ambitious industrial policy for the UK manufacturing of hydrogen propulsion systems across transport modes.

Purpose

Delivered in partnership with the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative and Innovate UK, the H2PMT will identify our long-term vision for the UK manufacturing of hydrogen propulsion technologies across land, maritime, and air transport.

Through wider consultation and engagement across industry, the H2PMT will produce recommendations on implementing this long-term vision, informing the works of the forthcoming Industrial Strategy and the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan.

Recommendations will:

  • focus on how best to maximise investment opportunities in hydrogen propulsion systems and will explore leveraging interventions across the advanced manufacturing policy landscape
  • help develop a strong investment proposition, considering our manufacturing strengths, the potential of hydrogen propulsion systems across various applications, and potential technology developments up to 2050

The H2PMT will build on the UK’s competitive advantage, and will report into the Hydrogen Delivery Council, ensuring consistency and clarity in the hydrogen debate as we deliver economic growth and make the UK a clean superpower.

Scope

With a focus on propulsion, the taskforce will:

  • review the global demand for specific hydrogen propulsion technologies
  • identify the UK existing and potential capabilities to manufacture those technologies
  • set out recommendations to grow UK supply chains and improve our national investment proposition in the UK manufacturing of those technologies

The taskforce will not:

  • duplicate existing workstreams, funding programmes and missions
  • make decisions or recommendations to Government on spending or taxation
  • make recommendations concerning emission policy
  • consider hydrogen applications beyond those directly related to hydrogen propulsion (such as buildings, heating, transportation and storage of hydrogen)
  • have the authority to bind any member or member organisation

Vision

Hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the UK’s future energy system, supporting both energy security and our ambition to become a clean energy superpower. We will create the right conditions to enable the commercial manufacturing of hydrogen technologies in Britain, maximising UK content in the global transition to a decarbonised economy. 

Hydrogen can be used in propulsion technologies and a wide range of applications across automotive, non-road mobile machinery, aviation, marine, and rail. We want the UK to be a leader in the design and manufacture of hydrogen propulsion systems across all transport modes, leveraging our competitive advantage as this technology reaches commercial maturity globally. 

We will work with industry, trade unions, academia, and the public to develop an ambitious industrial policy, including for UK-based manufacturing of hydrogen propulsion systems. Our aim is to move quickly, capitalising on the UK’s progress and competitive strengths to consolidate Britain’s leadership in hydrogen technologies. 

This will drive inward investment, helping to secure opportunities for UK companies and our skills base in the global supply chain, as well as providing wider economic benefits to all regions of the UK, enabling growth and securing prosperity.

For further information, read the hydrogen propulsion manufacturing vision.

Timelines

The taskforce held its first meeting on 19 November 2024 and will operate throughout 2025.

Membership   

The taskforce is chaired by Julia Sutcliffe, DBT Chief Scientific Adviser, and Steve Scrimshaw, former Vice President for Siemens Energy UK&I.

Government members include policy leads from DBT, DESNZ, and DfT. DESNZ and DfT Chief Scientific Advisers also attend. Devolved governments, Innovate UK, the Advanced Propulsion Centre, and the Aerospace Technology Institute are represented.

The secretariat is jointly provided by DBT and the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative.

Full list of industry members

  • Alan Newby, Rolls-Royce
  • Andrew Johnson, Ford
  • Clare Jackson, Hydrogen UK
  • Daniel Worrall, Fortesque Zero
  • David Wong, SMMT
  • Dariusz Mikolajczak, Toyota
  • Emma, Guthrie, Hydrogen Energy Association
  • Eugene McKenna, Johnson Matthey
  • Gabrielle Teofili, ZeroAvia
  • James Colgate, Fortescue Zero
  • Jane Toogood, Hydrogen Delivery Council
  • Jonathan Atkinson, Cummins
  • Lee Titchner, Stellantis
  • Mark Bentall, Airbus
  • Mary Grant, Porterbrook
  • Paul Moore, Perkins
  • Philip Bouverat, JCB
  • Robert Best, Wrightbus
  • Russ Dunn, GKN Aerospace
  • Sambit Banerjee, Siemens Mobility
  • Steffen Hoffmann, Bosch
  • Stephen Brown, Shell
  • Steve Scrimshaw, former Vice President for Siemens Energy UK&I

Contact details

hydrogen.propulsion@businessandtrade.gov.uk