Scope
Description
Deliverable 1 - Critical Review
An external consultant has undertaken a market assessment to quantify the national and global opportunity for hydrogen propulsion in applications across the automotive, non-road mobile machinery, aviation, marine, and rail sectors. The assessment evaluates a range of hydrogen technologies, including:
• Hydrogen fuel cells
• Hydrogen internal combustion engines
• Hydrogen gas turbines and thrust generators
• Pressurised hydrogen storage tanks
• Liquid hydrogen storage tanks
In addition, several adjacent, potentially competing technologies were also assessed, including:
• Electric motors
• Battery packs
• Power electronics and control systems
For each technology and sector, the market assessment aimed to ascertain the following:
• The current state of the UK and global hydrogen propulsion market.
• Market sizing for 2030 and 2050, with data input between these dates where possible.
• Potential market penetration rates.
The method used in this assessment follows a similar approach to market studies that Gemserv have previously conducted, as discussed above in Relevant Case Studies. Informed by Gemserv's prior experience in this area, Gemserv will critically review and validate this market assessment
The UK offers an internationally competitive ecosystem for the development of hydrogen propulsion systems, crossing leading exporting companies, significant investment in R&D, world-class universities and industry expertise. The government has sought to support this market advantage via the Hydrogen Propulsion Manufacturing Taskforce and targeted investment across several transport sectors. As shown by Gemserv and Hydrogen UK's International Hydrogen Progress Index (Link), the UK has consistently trailed behind China, Germany, South Korea, Canada and Japan, amongst others, for supporting the overall hydrogen sector's deployment. As such, further government support will be crucial for effectively positioning the UK in the emerging international hydrogen propulsion market and unlocking the sector's full potential.
Following on from the Critical Review, Gemserv will assess the political, economic, social and technological barriers and drivers of the national and global hydrogen propulsion market. Understanding the nuances of the hydrogen sector, Gemserv will answer the questions of:
What national and global measures drive the hydrogen propulsion market, which are already in place, which are planned, and what is additionally required to unlock the potential of the hydrogen propulsion market?
Gemserv will conduct an analysis to identify the policy and regulatory measures, as well as key hydrogen technology deployment milestones, that will influence the forecasted market size and penetration rates. This includes assessing the conditions required for the market to reach its upper-bound growth scenario, as well as the minimum thresholds necessary to achieve the lower-bound scenario.
Table 2 breaks down the methodology and outcomes by Phases. Phase 1 will review the drivers and barriers for the deployment of the hydrogen propulsion market at a national level and international level. Phase 2 and 3 will draw on this base knowledge, to align HII's market assessment with the current and future market landscape and identify the minimum and maximum interventions and milestones required to support market development.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £34,550 excluding VAT
- £41,460 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Date signed
15 August 2025
Contract dates
- 1 October 2025 to 31 December 2025
- 3 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - without competition
Supplier
Talan
- Companies House: 04419878
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVHC-1898-CQGH
2nd Floor 77 Gracechurch Street
London
EC3V 0AS
United Kingdom
Email: bd_uk@talan.com
Website: http://www.gemserv.com
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
HIGH VALUE MANUFACTURING CATAPULT
- Companies House: 07708659
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDLV-4646-XLMG
Icentrum
Birmingham
B7 4BP
United Kingdom
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)