Protium and ULEMCo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on building demand for green hydrogen fuel in transport applications. While the collaboration reflects a shared nationwide ambition, the immediate focus will be on Wales and South England, where Protium currently operates the Pioneer 1 hydrogen production facility and is set to launch a new site, Pioneer 2.
This agreement brings together two leading players in the UK’s growing hydrogen economy: Protium, a producer and supplier of renewable energy, and ULEMCo, a UK-based leading solutions provider for hydrogen combustion and fuel cell powertrain technologies for transport applications. Their partnership aims to accelerate the use of zero-carbon hydrogen fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and non-road mobile machinery.
“This MOU marks a major step forward in building a clean, hydrogen-powered transport ecosystem for Wales and South England,” said Jon Constable, COO at Protium. “Our green hydrogen will help decarbonise transport, support local industry, and contribute to net zero goals.”
Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly explore opportunities for:
- Supplying green hydrogen to local transport operators and depots
- Providing hydrogen combustion and fuel cell solutions into a range of vehicle and machinery platforms
- Demonstrating hydrogen-powered mobility projects in real-world environments
- Engaging with government bodies to support wider hydrogen adoption and infrastructure rollout
Jordon Cullen, Commercial Manager at ULEMCo, commented: “Hydrogen is essential for decarbonising sectors where electrification is not practical. We are excited to be collaborating with Protium to deliver achievable and affordable solutions, helping our customers decarbonise now. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to supporting a clean energy transition across the UK.”
This collaboration supports Welsh Government’s ambitions to make South Wales a hub for low-carbon industry and innovation.
About ULEMCo
ULEMCo Ltd is the world’s first hydrogen commercial vehicle conversion company, enabling fleet and commercial vehicle owners to access to zero carbon hydrogen fuel, as part of their strategies to reduce transport related carbon emissions.
ULEMCo is based in Liverpool, UK and was founded in 2014 to commercialise its globally unique UK capability in hydrogen technology to convert commercial vehicles – from LGV to HGV and specialist utility vehicles like refuse trucks, gritter and sweepers – to run on hydrogen. This is achieved using the company’s technology for hydrogen dual fuel, and applying know-how and experience in developing zero carbon engine vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell integration.
There are nearly half a million heavy duty trucks on the road in the UK alone; all of them need to be decarbonised by 2050! Battery electric technology is just not practical for most of these vehicles, whereas hydrogen with its fast refuelling and higher energy density is by far a better option. Using hydrogen instead of conventional fuels enables commercial fleets to benefit from a reduced carbon footprint, while still having the full range capability of standard diesel vehicles.
Alongside various partners, ULEMCo already supports a fleet of vehicles across a range of hydrogen hubs in the UK, and is rapidly extending its capability to provide ‘fleetwide conversion to hydrogen’ across the globe.