Sainsbury’s to get hydrogen fuel point in Hendon

Retail chain Sainsbury’s is to install what is claimed to be the first hydrogen vehicle refuelling station at a supermarket forecourt in the UK, at its Hendon, north west London branch.

Sainsbury’s will be the first UK supermarket to house a hydrogen vehicle fuelling point

The firm expects to have the station in operation by the end of 2014. Sainsbury’s is working with technology developer Air Products to install the ‘SmartFuel’ station.

US-based firm Air Products is currently in the process of developing a network of hydrogen fuelling points across London and the South East.

Hydrogen powered vehicles’ only by product is water meaning that they do not emit any of the pollutants associated with fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

Avishai Moor, Fuel & Kiosk Category Manager from Sainsbury’s said: “Hydrogen vehicles are both environmentally friendly as well as efficient so we are really excited about being the first UK supermarket to trial this new technology and make it accessible to our customers.”

Air pollution

“Making hydrogen technology available at a supermarket for the first time is another big step in encouraging the use of cleaner, greener fuels to reduce air pollution and protect the nation’s health,” commented Diana Raine, Air Products’ Hydrogen Energy Business Manager.

“We’re already leading the charge with a network of hydrogen stations across London and this additional station will set us in good stead for the UK arrival of commercially available hydrogen vehicles over the next few years.”