Element 2

What Element 2 does

Element 2 Ltd is a UK-based, venture capital-backed private hydrogen refuelling infrastructure company founded in 2020 and registered in England (company number 12651834), headquartered at 3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester. It builds, owns, and operates a network of mobile and fixed hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) across the UK with planned coverage nationwide by 2027 (target of 800 stations by 2027 and 2,000 by 2030), dispensing hydrogen at 350-bar for commercial vehicles and 700-bar for passenger cars. Its core technical stack includes deployable mobile refuellers, bi-pressure fixed stations (including the recently procured HRS14 unit at 14 kg/hour), and consortium-developed pipeline de-blending technology via the HyNTS programme. The company sells hydrogen fuel (green, waste-to-hydrogen, and by-product sourced) under multi-year enterprise contracts and operates an asset-light-plus-build model that combines direct station ownership with partner co-location at forecourts (Exelby Services) and integration with the Radius/UK Fuels payment network spanning 100,000+ commercial fleet cards.

The company is moving from a pilot/trial phase — completed 1,500+ refuelling events including the Inverness Hydrogen Trials (1,100+ km, 6 kg/100km consumption), Tees Valley Hydrogen Hub (20 vehicles, 300 kg/day), and trials with Stagecoach Highlands, Caetano UK, ASDA, Sainsbury's, the Ministry of Defence, St Helens Borough Council, Wales & West Utilities, Electra, and Tevva — toward scaled commercial deployment anchored on the Teesside Airport £4.1M hydrogen hub, the Exeter H2 Hub (5 MW pilot, East Devon), and Exelby Services stations at Coneygarth (A1/M) and Golden Fleece (M6). Revenue is generated through per-kilogram hydrogen retail and infrastructure deployment/operation services, with long-term offtake agreements on the supply side and multi-year fuel supply contracts on the demand side. Grants from Innovate UK (~£2.5M) and OFGEM Strategic Innovation Fund (£9.9M via HyNTS) provide non-dilutive capital, while partnership-driven expansion into aviation (Cranfield CH2i, £69M), defence (MoD trials), water utilities (Anglian Water, Ways2H), and international markets (Ireland, via Mark Teevan and Electra) widens the addressable market. Leadership includes former Shell Chief Economist Sir Vince Cable as Chair, Maria Charash as CFO (ex-Viridor/Shell), Brendan Bilton as CTO (co-founder, 20+ years in fuel cells, three published patents), and Dr Andrew Hagan as Chief Development Officer (ex-Air Liquide, Shell, WEF Director).

Name

Element 2

Legal name

Element 2 Ltd

Website

https://element-2.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Element 2 Ltd is a UK-based hydrogen refuelling infrastructure company, founded 2020, building and operating mobile and fixed hydrogen refuelling stations (350/700-bar) nationwide for commercial fleets, buses, municipal vehicles, and OEMs, sourcing green and waste-derived hydrogen under multi-year enterprise supply contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrogen Storage Terminals, Depots & Bulk Logistics (Siting, Loading/Unloading) (EUAFAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydrogen Production Supply & Offtake (Green/Blue H2) for Utility Blending (EUAJAJAF), Hydrogen Energy Storage & Power-to-X Equipment (electrolyzers, storage, fuel cell systems) (IMAGAHAM), Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol) (EUABAJAC)

Keywords

• Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
• Clean transportation fuels
• Commercial fleet decarbonisation
• Hydrogen fuel supply
• Zero emission refuelling

Headquarters

HQ city

Skipton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hydrogen Fuel Retail: Element 2 sells hydrogen fuel to fleet operators and commercial vehicle owners through their network of refuelling stations. Revenue is generated per kilogram of hydrogen dispensed, with long-term supply contracts with blue-chip customers. The company sources hydrogen from various producers (green/renewable, waste-to-hydrogen, by-product) and retails it at their refuelling locations.
2. Hydrogen Infrastructure Deployment & Operation: Element 2 builds, owns, and operates hydrogen refuelling infrastructure on behalf of site owners including forecourt operators. Revenue comes from fuel sales generated at these owned/operated stations, with site owners receiving ground rent, fuel sales commissions, and increased footfall benefits.
3. Long-term Hydrogen Offtake Contracts: Element 2 enters into long-term offtake agreements with hydrogen producers, agreeing to purchase hydrogen output to supply their refuelling network. These contracts ensure security of supply for their customer base.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Element 2 builds, owns, and operates hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) and mobile refuelling units across the UK and Ireland, dispensing green and low-carbon hydrogen to commercial vehicle fleets at 350-bar and 700-bar pressures. The company offers both permanent fixed station deployment and temporary mobile refuelling for trials and customer site deployments, with hydrogen fuel sourced from renewable, waste-to-hydrogen, and by-product producers.

Product overview

Element 2 is the UK's leading hydrogen refuelling infrastructure business offering a comprehensive portfolio of hydrogen solutions. The core offering consists of mobile hydrogen refuelling services and fixed hydrogen refuelling stations (including the HRS14 station) deployed at strategic locations across the UK and Ireland. These are supported by hydrogen fuel supply sourced from sustainable sources and hydrogen distribution logistics. Major projects include the Tees Valley Hydrogen Hub and Inverness Hydrogen Trials. The company operates the first national network of hydrogen refuelling stations, with plans to cover the entire country by 2027.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Services
• HRS14 Hydrogen Refuelling Station
• Fixed Hydrogen Refuelling Stations
• Hydrogen Fuel Supply
• Hydrogen Infrastructure Deployment & Operation
• Hydrogen Distribution & Logistics

Quantifiable outcome

• 12kg CO2 abated per kg hydrogen used (vs diesel equivalent)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and strategic.

• HRS (Hydrogen Refueling Solutions)coreTechnology or Integration · 3 October 2024HRS, a French designer and manufacturer, is supplying Element 2 with its next-generation HRS14 hydrogen refuelling station (14kg/hour capacity, bi-pressure 350/700-bar) for installation at Teesside International Airport. This is the first HRS station in the UK, representing HRS's entry into the British market.
• Innervated Vehicle Engineering (IVe)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2024Strategic alliance with IVe for £4.1 million hydrogen hub project at Teesside Airport, supporting long-term trials of commercial vans and airside vehicles. Element 2 contributing hydrogen refuelling infrastructure; project set to save 240,000 tonnes CO2 annually.
• Cranfield University (CH2i)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2024Element 2 is co-investor and key partner in the £69 million Cranfield Hydrogen Integration Incubator (CH2i) project - the largest research funding win for Cranfield University. Project aims to develop hydrogen as net-zero aviation fuel, creating labs, test facilities, and a Hydrogen Integration Research Centre.
• RiversimplecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2024Deepened partnership with hydrogen car manufacturer Riversimple to provide refuelling for both passenger cars and HGVs. Element 2 will supply hydrogen fuel, storage, and pumps at mobile and fixed stations for Riversimple's customers. MOU guarantees all Element 2 stations will serve passenger vehicles alongside commercial fleets.
• C-ALPS (Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2024Element 2 guarantees C-ALPS (£50m research centre at Coventry University) has required quantity of Fuel Cell grade (ISO 14687) hydrogen for £4m+ testing contracts with engine and vehicle manufacturers. Partnership supports hydrogen propulsion R&D across trucks, coaches, ships, trains, and aircraft.
• TevvacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2024Element 2 provides hydrogen refuelling for Tevva's hydrogen-electric trucks during testing and development. Tevva's 7.5t hydrogen-electric vehicle used Element 2's Teesside station during 350+ mile range test from London to Scottish border.
• Tower GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2024Consortium led by Tower Group (including Wales & West Utilities, University of Exeter, EMotive, Oort Energy, Costain, Gardiner & Theobald) to deliver Exeter H2 Hub - a 5 MW pilot plant with mobile refuelling capability in East Devon by 2026. Element 2 provides installation and operation of mobile and fixed hydrogen refuelling stations.
• Tower Group (South West)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 January 2024Initial partnership with Tower Group to co-develop hydrogen refuelling stations in South West England. Tower Group establishing hydrogen hubs at M5 and A30 locations in Devon and Cornwall; Element 2 providing mobile and permanent refuelling solutions. Expanded into Exeter H2 Hub consortium in 2024.
• BayoTechstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024MOU with BayoTech (on-site hydrogen production company) to link hydrogen production to end users. Collaboration focused on reducing hydrogen carbon intensity, transport distance, and overall complexity. BayoTech investing capital to develop production plants in UK.
• Exelby ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 July 2023Partnership to establish UK's first public hydrogen refuelling service stations for HGV fleets at Coneygarth (A1/M) and Golden Fleece (M6) service stations. Element 2 deploys hydrogen refuelling infrastructure while Exelby provides existing forecourt sites. Planning approved for 1-2.5 tonnes daily capacity stations.
• HyNTS ConsortiumstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2023Element 2 is part of the HyNTS (Hydrogen National Transmission System) consortium awarded £9.9 million from OFGEM Strategic Innovation Fund to develop real-world de-blending and refuelling technology. Project will prove pipeline transmission of hydrogen as viable economic alternative to road tanker delivery.
• Radius (UK Fuels network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 June 2023Partnership with leading fuel card provider to enable 100,000+ commercial fleet customers to access hydrogen fuel using existing UK Fuels payment cards. Element 2 will develop hydrogen refuelling across Radius's existing UK Fuels network sites.
• Anglian WatercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2023Partnership to purchase hydrogen produced at Anglian Water's Milton Road, Cambridge wastewater treatment site using electrolyser technology. First initiative to produce fuel cell grade hydrogen from wastewater in Great Britain, with up to 91kg/day hydrogen output from the Triple Carbon Reduction Project.
• Electra Commercial VehiclescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2023Strategic partnership where Element 2 provides turnkey hydrogen supply and refuelling infrastructure support to Electra and its clients. Initially covering UK and Ireland with potential geographic extension. Element 2 enables Electra's hydrogen truck customers to access hydrogen fuel at any site.
• XPO LogisticscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 27 July 2022Multi-year agreement for XPO to transport hydrogen fuel from production sites to Element 2's refuelling stations, starting with North and Midlands regions. Critical logistics partnership for safe hydrogen distribution across the network.
• Ways2HstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2022Partnership bringing 40 waste-to-hydrogen production facilities to UK, beginning in Scotland. Ways2H production facilities will supply Element 2's refuelling stations, capable of serving up to 1,600 fuel cell buses per day.
• Peel NREstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Letter of Intent for Peel NRE (part of Peel L&P) to supply hydrogen from planned plastic-to-hydrogen facilities to Element 2's proposed refuelling station network, with first location planned at Protos.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• ITM Power: UK-based electrolyser and hydrogen refuelling station manufacturer that designs, builds and operates green hydrogen production and refuelling sites across the UK and EU. Directly comparable as a UK-headquartered hydrogen infrastructure provider targeting transport end-uses.
• HRS (Hydrogen Refueling Solutions): French designer and manufacturer of hydrogen refuelling stations (including the HRS14 model that Element 2 ordered). Competes head-to-head with Element 2's technology partner for European HRS deployment contracts and serves the same commercial fleet customer base.
• Everfuel: Nordic hydrogen distribution and refuelling infrastructure company operating hydrogen refuelling stations for trucks, buses and passenger cars across Scandinavia. Same business model of owning/operating HRS and selling hydrogen fuel, though focused on Nordic rather than UK geography.
• Nel ASA: Norwegian hydrogen equipment company supplying electrolyser and hydrogen refuelling station technology globally, including heavy-duty mobility applications. Comparable as a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure provider competing for the same European transport customers.

Emerging players

• McPhy Energy: French hydrogen production and distribution equipment specialist with a growing presence in European hydrogen refuelling for mobility. Comparable to Element 2 in transport-focused hydrogen infrastructure, but with broader industrial decarbonisation exposure.

Broad incumbents

• Linde plc: Global industrial gases major with an established hydrogen production, distribution and refuelling business across multiple geographies. Directly competes with Element 2 in hydrogen refuelling for commercial fleets but offers it as part of a much wider industrial gas portfolio.
• Air Liquide: Global industrial gas leader with extensive hydrogen production, pipeline and refuelling operations across Europe. Element 2's CDO Dr Andrew Hagan previously consulted for Air Liquide, reflecting the overlap in hydrogen fuel markets, though Air Liquide operates at vastly greater scale.
• Shell Hydrogen: The hydrogen mobility and refuelling arm of Shell, deploying hydrogen refuelling stations across the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and California. Competes for the same commercial fleet customers as Element 2 but with the backing of Shell's balance sheet, forecourt network and Sir Vince Cable's former employer.

Others

• Ballard Power Systems: Canadian fuel cell manufacturer supplying PEM fuel cell engines for buses, trucks and trains. Complementary rather than competitive to Element 2 — Ballard's fuel cell customers require refuelling infrastructure like Element 2's stations, but Ballard does not operate HRS itself.
• Cenex (Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies): UK transport decarbonisation consultancy and project developer running hydrogen transport trials and HRS feasibility programmes across the UK. Adjacent ecosystem participant to Element 2 — frequently a partner, consultant or evaluator in the same hydrogen mobility trials Element 2 supports.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/element-2

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Element 2