In an event-first, EV Rally Cymru will have a hydrogen-fuelled vehicle participating as part of Team Hyppo. We speak to Chris Foxall, founder and CEO of Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions, to find out why they have decided to get involved in the event, and whether they will have more – or less – challenges than the EVs taking part

Please could you tell us about Hyppo? Why was it established and what does it offer?

Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions was established to make green hydrogen accessible, affordable, and convenient, accelerating the transition to net zero by decarbonising the transport and remote power sectors industries and providing.

Our offerings include transport solutions for public transport and fleet operators, as well as developing modular hydrogen storage and generator solutions for remote power. Through projects like the H2Bay hydrogen hub, we’re building ecosystems that support a sustainable hydrogen economy, creating jobs, and fostering a greener future.

As a hydrogen fuel solutions provider, what has made you decide to get involved in EV Rally Cymru, which is about testing the electric vehicle charging infrastructure?

Participating in EV Rally Cymru gives us a unique opportunity to demonstrate the role hydrogen can play alongside battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in achieving zero-emission transport. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), like BEVs, are electric but generate their own electricity on board by using hydrogen, offering benefits like fast refuelling and long driving ranges.

Additionally, hydrogen can power generators for electric car charging, making it a complementary solution to battery electric vehicles. By participating, we showcase hydrogen’s versatility and underline that both BEV and FCEV technologies are crucial to a sustainable transport future.

I understand you are driving a Toyota Mirai, which means you will need to refuel with hydrogen – how do you plan to go about this?

For the rally, we’ll be refueling the Toyota Mirai with a mobile hydrogen refueling truck supplied by Toyota and built by Fuel Cell Systems. This mobile unit allows us to access hydrogen on the go, showcasing how hydrogen can be deployed flexibly and demonstrating the evolving infrastructure. It’s an excellent way to highlight that hydrogen refueling solutions are not only possible but practical in various settings.

Do you think you’ll have more challenges than those in electric vehicles?

While there are few refuelling options in and around Wales, the longer range of the vehicle should mean we need very little fuel beyond one fill.

Please tell us more about your team – who will be driving and are you bringing any other vehicles?

Our team includes Chris Foxall and Bill Whyman from Hyppo who have been working in hydrogen transport for over 8 years. We’ll be driving a Toyota Mirai which is a registered private hire vehicle that allows the general public to experience this emerging technology.

Why are events like the EV Rally important for driving up the adoption of cleaner vehicles and fuels?

Events like EV Rally Cymru are critical for raising awareness and building confidence in zero-emission technologies. By showcasing both BEVs and FCEVs, the rally demonstrates the complementary roles these vehicles play in reducing emissions, with hydrogen’s potential to support the infrastructure needed for electric vehicle charging where grid access is a problem. The rally promotes investment and interest in infrastructure development, which is essential to increase the adoption of cleaner transport.

Please tell us about Hyppo’s future plans?

Looking forward, Hyppo plans to expand hydrogen services and products in the UK and beyond. We’re advancing projects like H2Bay, focusing on developing hydrogen hubs that can support the transport, power, and industrial sectors. We’re also working on modular storage and generation solutions to make hydrogen more accessible and practical. Partnering with industry leaders, our aim is to position hydrogen as a complementary, reliable energy source that enhances the sustainability of both transport and power sectors, fueling a global green hydrogen economy.