The UK’s first-ever hydrogen transport hub is one step closer to becoming a reality, with the unveiling of an official masterplan and £3 MM (US $4.2 MM) in government funding.

The transport hub – being built in Tees Valley – will bring together leading figures from government, industry and academia to focus research, testing and trials across all transport modes.

According to the UK Government, the hub could be fully operational by 2025. By creating real-world hydrogen transport pilots, the establishment of the hub will also help to understand the role hydrogen has in meeting the country's 2050 net-zero ambitions.

Pop-up trials could see shops, supermarkets, online retailers, warehouse operators and delivery companies using hydrogen-powered transport to move goods and carry out last-mile deliveries.

It could also see local transport operators working with the transport research and development (R&D) sector to deliver emission-free hydrogen passenger services, such as on-demand regional buses or zero-emission refuse vehicles.