Enterprise Rent-A-Car is providing a fleet of hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai vehicles to Teesside International Airport. The fuel cell electric vehicles are part of a £2.5 million region-wide hydrogen trial in northeast England.

It follows the opening of a hydrogen refueling station provided by Element 2. The hydrogen station is part of the Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub, where the airport is testing out 100% zero-emission hydrogen-fueled commercial and support vehicles, along with other key organizations in the surrounding environs.

There are 10 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicles from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. A hydrogen-powered forklift truck is also taking part in the trial as well as a Renault Kangoo hydrogen-powered light van and a hydrogen tug will arrive during spring.

Thanks to the new refueling infrastructure, the Toyotas will be used by emergency response units from the Cleveland Police and NHS patient support.

Iain Macbeth, Enterprise’s director of electric vehicle strategy, says: “Taking on hydrogen vehicles puts Teesside at the very cutting edge of decarbonizing travel. Low- and zero-emission rental and car clubs provide a good solution for businesses to try out new types of alternative-fueled vehicles without having to buy one. We have several hydrogen cars on trial with corporate customers to support their alternative fuel strategies.

“These vehicles are part of our aim of offering more choice to customers looking for low- and zero-emission transport options.”

Meanwhile Europcar has now added the first zero-emission car to its SuperFlex flexible long-term hire offering.

The Renault Zoe GT LINE R135 ZE50 is the first in a planned introduction of electric vehicles as part of Europcar’s "One Sustainable Fleet" program. Europcar says it expects "green" vehicles (sub-50g/km) to account for 20% of its car and van fleet by end 2024.

“Our continuing mission is to have more electric and low-emission vehicles on fleet and adding the Renault ZOE all-electric GT LINE is another important step on our "One Sustainable Fleet" journey,” added Ron Santiago, managing director, Europcar Mobility Group UK.