Fleet Assist has started to get its garage network ‘hydrogen ready’ as more fleets look to evaluate these vehicles for the first time.
Its early days so far but already has nine garages capable of working on hydrogen dealers on the 5,100 strong Fleet Assist garage network and has recently received its first call from a company car driver looking to service their car.
Following the recent launch of the new Toyota Mirai Fleet Assist expects the interest in hydrogen to continue to increase and complement the growth of EVs.
There has also been recent news from Stellantis and Land Rover on launching a hydrogen van and 4×4 respectively which has helped it become a talking point in the media in recent weeks as the ‘cleanest possible fuel’.
“Following work to get our garage network ‘EV ready’ over the past few years our next challenge is staying one step ahead of those fleets that wish to operate hydrogen vehicles. We are already working closely with Toyota and Hyundai who currently offer the only two cars available in the UK to get our customers’ cars serviced.
“In the short term we expect our network to grow as further franchised dealers come on board to support the new models. Longer term we believe the independent and fast fit garage network will be able to accommodate this as more hydrogen vehicles are being launched,” explained Chris Crow, Fleet Assist’s head of network.
Fleet Assist has also been talking to the IMI about a formal qualification for garages servicing hydrogen cars as currently there is no stand-alone formal course to attend or qualification on offer. Fleet Assist envisages an equivalent of the IMI Level 2 qualification in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Operation and Maintenance which technicians must have to qualify to join the Fleet Assist EV network.
“Its early days but we have started talking to the IMI about training as we believe hydrogen will become the next big thing alongside EVs as fleets look to continue to reduce their vehicle environmental footprint,” said Crow.
