The contract will see the Liverpool, UK-based company convert a variety of Council operated vehicles, including road sweepers, refuse collectors, as well a tippers and tractors, to run on its dual-fuel system, which allows hydrogen to be burned directly in combination with diesel.

ULEMCo’s technology was first deployed on the streets of the Scottish city at the start of 2022 in the form of a road sweeper, which the firm reported demonstrated reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

Read more: Aberdeen City Council deploys ‘UK’s first’ hydrogen waste truck

Read more: ULEMCo reports emissions saving from its dual-fuel hydrogen-powered sweeper

ULEMCo’s H2ICED® dual-fuel technology is said to save up to 40% of carbon dioxide emissions across entire fleets, othering a practical route to introducing hydrogen for transport.

It is hoped the new converted vehicles will create significant demand for the planned Hydrogen Hub in Aberdeen to accelerate the growth of Scotland’s hydrogen economy.

Read more: Aberdeen City Council wants to start developing Aberdeen’s Hydrogen Hub

“We’re delighted to announce our first fleet-wide conversion contract with Aberdeen City Council, where, over the next 18 months, we shall be enabling 35 vehicles to run on hydrogen dual fuel, with more in planning”, said Amanda Lyne, Managing Director of ULEMCo.

Lyne continued, “The Council’s investment in our ‘here and now’ solution will help build significant demand for hydrogen, which in turn creates base load demand for scaled investment for infrastructure suppliers to provide more refuelling etc.”

Councillor Ian Yuill, Co-Leader of the Aberdeen City Council commented, “The conversion of vehicles within our fleet to dual-fuel hydrogen power sources is an important step in the Council’s journey to achieving our ambition to become carbon Net Zero by 2045.

“Hydrogen has become a valued fuel source in the city’s transport sector, with vehicles including buses, cars and refuse lorries already using it daily on our streets, showcasing our position as a world leader in bringing this technology to market.”