1. Public Acceptability of Hydrogen Vehicles and Refuelling Infrastructure in London Tanya O’Garra With Susana Mourato and Peter Pearson Environmental Policy and Management Group Page no./ref © Imperial College London London 5 th May 2005

2. Public Acceptability Issues Associations with: Hindenburg airship disaster Hydrogen bomb Explosions! Are expert concerns about public reaction to hydrogen justified? Page no./ref© Imperial College London

3. Public Acceptability Studies 1.EU-funded ACCEPTH2 study of public attitudes & preferences for H2 buses 2.“Public Acceptability of H2 Infrastructure in London” (EPSRC-funded: The Development of a H2 Energy Infrastructure in London) 3.BP/Imperial College: “Public Acceptance of and Demand for Information about H2 Refuelling Stations in London” Page no./ref© Imperial College London

4. Data Collection 1.ACCEPTH2: telephone interviews with Greater London residents. Sample size: 414 2.H2 Infrastructure study: questionnaires distributed to households near existing refuelling stations in G. London (sample=346) 3.Longitudinal acceptance study: telephone surveys (n=600) every 6 months in 3 London boroughs over 3 years (sample: 3600) Page no./ref© Imperial College London

5. Associations with H2 (ACCEPTH2) Page no./ref© Imperial College London “What are the first words that come to mind when you hear the word ‘hydrogen’?”

6. Less than half of respondents (45%) have heard about H2 vehicles Under a third had have heard about FC vehicles 18% have heard of both Compared to AcceptH2 partner cities: Londoners least informed Berlin respondents most informed (72% have heard of H2 vehicles) Knowledge about H2 (ACCEPTH2)

7. “How would you feel about hydrogen powered vehicles being introduced in London?” Acceptability of H2 Vehicles (ACCEPTH2)

8. Prior knowledge of H2 was the main determinant of support for H2 vehicles (in all cities) May reflect nature of publicly available information, which is mostly positive +ve info +ve attitude -ve info -ve attitude Attitudes easier to form than to change (Eagly and Chaiken, 1993) 60% still need to make up their minds – depends on nature of information Acceptability of H2 Vehicles (II)

9. H2 Infrastructure Development Page no./ref Necessary for H2 vehicles to refuel Dependent on: Cost Land availability Technical issues Safety and regulation Public acceptance © Imperial College London

10. Acceptability of Local H2 Facilities Page no./ref© Imperial College London “How would you feel if a H2 facility were to be built at your local refuelling station in 3 months?”

11. Opposition to H2 (H2 Infrast Study) 10% of sample opposes local H2 storage & are prepared to do something about it (e.g. write letters to MP, organise meetings) Opposition determined by safety concerns, lack of trust in regulations and NIMBYism Those likely to oppose are older and have undertaken individual actions to influence planning decisions in the past Page no./ref© Imperial College London

12. Information Demand (H2 Infrast. Study) Three fifths of sample need more information to make a judgement about local H2 storage 75% are prepared to actively seek information Preferred source of info: internet Demand for information driven by: Concerns about H2 safety Concerns about existing refuelling station Interest in technology and prior knowledge of H2 Information should be presented differentially to account for different interests Page no./ref© Imperial College London

13. Conclusions of Studies (I) Relatively little knowledge about H2 vehicles among London residents However: support for H2 vehicles determined by prior knowledge Need for information so that public can make informed judgements Page no./ref© Imperial College London

14. Conclusions of Studies (II) Support for H2 vehicles higher than support for H2 infrastructure Moderate opposition to H2 infrastructure, but could increase (60% still have no opinion) Significant demand for information about H2 infrastructure Need for more research…… Page no./ref© Imperial College London

15. Longitudinal Study of Public Acceptance of H2 Refuelling Stations BP – Imperial College London joint study Involves: 600 surveys every 6 months in 3 London boroughs over 3 years Expected outputs: changing knowledge and attitudes, and interaction between information source and attitude Status: 3 rd wave of surveys about to begin WORK IN PROGRESS Page no./ref© Imperial College London

16. THE END Page no./ref© Imperial College London tanya.ogarra@imperial.ac.uk