The 1902 electric Columbia owned by Bernard Holmes will be taking part in the 125th anniversary RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, seen alongside the latest Enterprise zero-emission hydrogen vehicles being used by officials along the course.
Six zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell Toyota Mirai cars provided by Enterprise Rent-A-Car will debut as course vehicles at this year’s RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. The Run is the world’s longest-running motoring event and is celebrating its 125th anniversary.
Veteran Car Run enthusiasts will be able to see the Enterprise hydrogen cars as they are used by Run officials along the 60 miles of the event. The Clerk of the Course will also be using a hydrogen Mirai to ensure driver safety, from the traditional tearing of the start flag in Hyde Park to the finish line on Madeira Drive, Brighton seafront.
The Run will help to showcase hydrogen as an effective technology for decarbonising motoring for both business and individual use.
It’s also an opportunity to reinforce the message that fuel cell cars are electric vehicles. There is no combustion process, and hydrogen is just a different way of storing and providing zero-carbon energy. It supports the UK Government’s first ever Hydrogen Strategy, which sets out the vision for hydrogen’s role in decarbonising the UK economy and powering a green recovery.
Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, which has organised the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run since 1930, said, “We are excited to be using hydrogen vehicles to support this year’s event.
“Alternative fuels are an essential part of the solution for the propulsion of future vehicles, especially in critical sectors and situations where battery electric drivetrains may not be quite so practical. A number of the earliest vehicles were electric, some of which are taking part in this year’s event, so it’s encouraging to be promoting low carbon technologies from both past and present eras on this year’s Run.”
Iain Macbeth, Enterprise’s Director of Electric Vehicle Strategy, said: “Exploring new ways to power vehicles has always been part of motoring innovation. Hydrogen is the latest in a long line of exciting fuel technologies and this is a great opportunity to put the old and new alongside each other.
“We want to bring hydrogen technology to life and explore how it can be useful in the journey to net zero using our low-emission vehicles and growing fleet of plug-in electric cars and vans. Enterprise is working with several partners to explore how hydrogen can help to decarbonise business and personal motoring. Many people want to explore electric and even hydrogen vehicles even if they may not be ready to buy one.”
Iain concluded: “Seeing hydrogen vehicles in action is an important first step and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness for hydrogen motoring. We are excited to partner with the Royal Automobile Club to make this event more sustainable.”
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