The Scottish city of Aberdeen is shifting its decarbonisation strategy away from hydrogen, deciding to sell its hydrogen bus fleet and exit a joint venture with BP focused on green hydrogen production. This marks a significant pivot towards battery-electric vehicles (EVs) for its public transport.

Details of the Hydrogen Project and Fleet

Aberdeen launched the world's first double-decker hydrogen bus service in 2021 with 15 Wrightbus fuel-cell vehicles, expanding by 10 more buses in 2022. The supporting infrastructure, the "Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub," received a final investment decision in 2024 with operations planned to begin this year. The project was heavily subsidised, with the city council spending £2.5 million on the initial buses, backed by £3 million from the Scottish government and €2 million from the EU. The Scottish government contributed a further £4.5 million for the additional buses and £7.3 million for the Hub's development.

Reasons for the Strategic Shift

The council's decision follows over a year of the buses being out of service since mid-2024 due to repairs on the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. The primary reason for the change, however, is cited as rapid advancements in electric vehicle technology. A council spokesperson stated that as manufacturers and operators increasingly favour EVs, demand for hydrogen in transport has diminished, prompting a reassessment of strategic direction to align with the evolving market.

Reactions and Next Steps

Aberdeen City Council and BP had been in discussions about the future viability of the Hydrogen Hub. BP acknowledged the council's decision and its impact on the Hub, stating it would work closely with the council on next steps. The council now plans to focus on battery-electric vehicles to decarbonise its bus fleet.