Metropolitan Police trial hydrogen fuel cell scooter

Hydrogen fuel cell scooter motorbike 2017 Suzuki
This Burgman scooter runs on hydrogen, which is an environmentally-friendly alternative to normal fuels 

The Metropolitan Police Service, London's world-famous police force, has started trialling hydrogen fuel cell scooters as part of a wider programme to reduce its emissions. 

Suzuki has loaned the seven Burgman motorcycles to the organisation free of charge. They will be based at Alperton Deployment Centre during the 18-month trial and will be used by Police Community Support Officers within the Road and Transport Policing Command. 

fuel cell scooter
The instrument panel of a fuel cell scooter

This type of vehicle uses a fuel cell to convert fuel (in this case, hydrogen) into electricity, which then powers electric motors. The result is a zero-emission vehicle that can be refuelled almost instantly, in contrast to conventional battery electric vehicles which require several hours' charging.

Commander Neil Jerome for Territorial Policing said, “Being the UK’s largest police service we constantly have vehicles on the roads and therefore it is our aim to make our fleet as clean as we can, whilst maintaining operational capability.

“We are thankful to Suzuki and our partners and look forward with optimism about this trial. Through collaborative partnerships and innovative testing such as this, we can gain real-life experience of how we can progress our ambition and create a cleaner fleet that will benefit London and the service we provide.”

The scooters will be refuelled from a private filling station, provided by Fuel Cell Systems. They will have a range of around 75 miles on a single tank.

fuel cell police motorbike
These silent machines could prove perfect for policing

Suzuki GB Managing Director, Nobuo Suyama, said: “Suzuki are extremely honoured to be able to showcase the Burgman Fuel Cell and gain valuable feedback from this important trial with the Met.

“Operational data from the trial will be gathered and used to support Suzuki zero emission vehicle development programmes. Deploying these vehicles into service with the Met marks a significant milestone in the extensive development of this ground-breaking technology.

“Being able to release the Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell to the Met has only been made possible by the support of a number of technology partners, including Intelligent Energy Ltd, with whom Suzuki has jointly developed the Fuel Cell unit for the scooter.”

Suzuki Bergman handover
The official handover at New Scotland Yard

Unfortunately for the UK's many commuters, the fuel cell Burgman scooter is not yet available commercially, and the hydrogen filling infrastructure currently operational in London remains weak. However, the clear practical and environmental advantages of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles mean that their uptake is likely to grow. 

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