The oil capital of Europe is “leading the way” on a greener form of energy after a new parliamentary ruling calling for cleaner air in British cities.
Hydrogen leader at Aberdeen City Council, Barney Crockett, said the Granite City was becoming the envy of others across Europe for its investment in the technology.
MPs on the Commons’ environment, food and rural affairs committee have called for “urgent government action” to stop up to 50,000 people a year dying early from air pollution-related illnesses.
Ministers have already announced plans to impose “clean air zones” in five UK cities to help tackle dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide, but have now confirmed that other areas will be encouraged to follow suit.
The MPs called for “new clean air zones in dozens of towns and cities to cut the risk of cardiac, respiratory and other diseases”.
But Councillor Crockett, the city’s former local authority leader, said Aberdeen was now one of the top cities in Europe for its work with hydrogen.
Last month, councillors approved plans to introduce 10 hydrogen fuel cell buses in Aberdeen.
Members of the finance, policy and resources committee agreed to the city council’s participation in principle in a project to secure funding to purchase 140 fuel cell buses across 10 European cities.
The capital cost of each bus is about £500,000, and unlike their diesel counterparts they produce no pollution, only water vapour.
The city council’s car club also offers hydrogen vehicles and there are refuelling stations in the city.
Mr Crockett said: “Aberdeen is leading the way on hydrogen – we have Europe’s largest hydrogen fleet and are looking to build on that.
“We have always been at the forefront of energy and now the city is looking to new energy sources so we can lead there too.
“Folk in Aberdeen don’t realise how high our profile is.”
