TY - JOUR

T1 - Unfamiliar fuel

T2 - How the UK public views the infrastructure required to supply hydrogen for road transport

AU - Bellaby, Paul

AU - Upham, Paul

AU - Flynn, Rob

AU - Ricci, Miriam

PY - 2016/4/27

Y1 - 2016/4/27

N2 - In 2007, under contract to the UK Department for Transport, we engaged with the public about the infrastructure to supply hydrogen for transport. We combined a quota-sample survey of 1003 across three disparate 'travel-to-work areas' in England with focus groups representative of them. We informed the groups 'at arm's length' through a purpose-made video, composed with advice from a hydrogen scientist and made by professional broadcasters. Participants saw benefits in hydrogen energy. None rejected it on safety grounds, though many discussed the risks. The costs were considered a problem. 'The public' was not of one mind. Regular car drivers were unwilling to reduce their car use. Bus users, cyclists and walkers often sought improvements in air quality. Motorists knew more than others about hydrogen energy. In discussion we seek psychological and socio-cultural explanations for these results. We conclude by drawing out implications for the future of hydrogen in transport.

AB - In 2007, under contract to the UK Department for Transport, we engaged with the public about the infrastructure to supply hydrogen for transport. We combined a quota-sample survey of 1003 across three disparate 'travel-to-work areas' in England with focus groups representative of them. We informed the groups 'at arm's length' through a purpose-made video, composed with advice from a hydrogen scientist and made by professional broadcasters. Participants saw benefits in hydrogen energy. None rejected it on safety grounds, though many discussed the risks. The costs were considered a problem. 'The public' was not of one mind. Regular car drivers were unwilling to reduce their car use. Bus users, cyclists and walkers often sought improvements in air quality. Motorists knew more than others about hydrogen energy. In discussion we seek psychological and socio-cultural explanations for these results. We conclude by drawing out implications for the future of hydrogen in transport.

KW - Contrasting travel-to-work-areas

KW - Hydrogen-in-transport infrastructure

KW - Psycho-social explanations

KW - Public engagement

KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84961768065&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/9896b806-c357-3370-8d5f-a240bdbd82fb/

U2 - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.03.024

DO - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.03.024

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:84961768065

VL - 41

SP - 6534

EP - 6543

JO - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

JF - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

SN - 0360-3199

IS - 15

ER -