Batteries are not the only way to power EVs though, hydrogen fuel cells are also an option, and another of our applicants, ITM Power Plc, has been creating hydrogen fuelling stations that use electrolysis to generate and store hydrogen on site, ready for dispensing to vehicles.
This process can be powered by renewable electricity, producing a fuel that is zero-carbon and zero-pollution at the point of use, and potentially providing balancing services to the national or local grid by absorbing excess renewable energy generation.
Our fourth longlisted applicant, Donkey Republic, makes it easy for small independent operators to set up a bike rental business as a franchise – it provides remotely controlled bike locks, a smartphone app for renting bikes and handles all of the payments. By making bike rental a viable business in small towns as well as large cities, this applicant is making it possible for people to arrive by bus or train and then easily rent a bike for the ‘last mile’ of the journey.
The organisations shortlisted for our 2018 UK Award for Clean Air In Towns and Cities will be announced on 14 March. The Awards Ceremony takes place on Thursday 14 June at the Royal Geographical Society in London. Get your ticket here.