JW Filshill to partner with ScottishPower to decarbonise fleet

JW Filshill has signed a memorandum of understanding with ScottishPower to explore the potential of using green hydrogen and electrification to power its fleet.

The partnership could see over 35 vans and lorries powered by green hydrogen and renewable electricity where appropriate, and the wholesaler said this has the potential to save an estimated 1,100 tonnes of CO2 each year.

JW Filshill’s fleet serves over 1,400 delivered goods customers, including over 210 Keystore convenience stores across Scotland and the north of England.

“Filshill continues to work towards reducing our carbon footprint and reaching our goal of becoming Net Zero. As a delivered wholesale business our fleet of vehicles make up a large proportion of our carbon footprint therefore exploring options such as using hydrogen instead of diesel are extremely important to us,” Keith Geddes, chief financial and operating officer at JW Filshill, said.

Renewable energy is used to provide the electricity needed to power an electrolyser which separates water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be stored or transported to where it is needed.

ScottishPower has been leading the way in green hydrogen development and production since launching its green hydrogen business in 2020. Alongside a number of projects, including bringing green hydrogen to its Whitelee windfarm on the outskirts of Glasgow, the energy company is working with a number of companies to explore how green hydrogen can be used, alongside other green energy solutions such a renewable electricity, to decarbonise operations.

Barry Carruthers, Hydrogen Director at ScottishPower, said: “Green hydrogen offers companies like JW Filshill a zero-carbon fuel alternative that can support their business over the long-term. It’s an exciting time for green hydrogen as more and more businesses begin to realise the potential green hydrogen can offer them and we’re looking forward to working with JW Filshill over the coming months to see how best it can support their company well into the future.”