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Toyota and Shell one step closer to a hydrogen refueling network in California

; Date: February 17, 2017

Tags: Hydrogen »»»» Toyota »»»» Fuel Cell Vehicle »»»» Shell »»»» California Fuel Cell Partnership

Fuel cell vehicles are supposedly the solution that will one day eliminate the need for battery electric vehicles. What's missed is the expense for hydrogen refueling stations (over $1.5 million apiece) versus the much lower cost for DC fast charging of battery electric vehicles (under $100,000). That means the same pool of money could build a whole lot more DC fast charging stations than hydrogen. The $16 million here to build 7 hydrogen stations could build 160 or more DC fast charging stations.

Seven hydrogen stations and $16 million award proposed by the California Energy Commission

Torrance, Calif., February 20, 2017 -- On February 17, The California Energy Commission (CEC) posted a Notice of Proposed Award (NOPA) outlining subsidies to support hydrogen refueling infrastructure in California. Shell, in partnership with Toyota, will be considered for the installation of hydrogen refueling equipment into seven retail stations in the state of California and an award of $16,362,500 to develop those stations.

The NOPA marks an important step forward in California’s aspiration for broader deployment of low-carbon fuels and vehicle technologies, via its CEC’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.

“Providing accessible, reliable and convenient refueling is key to mainstream adoption of fuel cell vehicles,” said Craig Scott, advanced technology vehicle senior manager, Toyota Motor North America. “Shell’s partnership will bring the expertise and resources of a major energy company to hydrogen infrastructure efforts in California. The team of Toyota and Shell will bring us one step closer to a hydrogen society.”

“Hydrogen electric vehicles could play an important role in improving air quality while offering convenience to motorists,” stated Oliver Bishop, Hydrogen General Manager, Shell. “This kind of collaboration between government and industry is central to making hydrogen a reality. It’s a great opportunity to encourage a growing number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the roads and support the carbon reduction goals of the State.”

For more information about the NOPA issues on February 17, 2017; please refer to: (www.energy.ca.gov) http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/GFO-15-605_NOPA.pdf

Toyota is supporting hydrogen infrastructure development through a number of collaborations. In California, Toyota entered into a financial agreement with FirstElement Fuels to support construction and operation of 19 fueling stations across the state. In 2016, Toyota announced a collaboration with Air Liquide to develop and supply a phased network of 12 state-of-the-art hydrogen stations targeted for New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Shell is taking part in various initiatives to encourage the adoption of hydrogen as a transport fuel. In Germany, Shell is working with the government and industry partners in a cross-sector joint venture, H2 Mobility Germany, to support the development of a nationwide expansion of hydrogen refueling stations. Shell currently operates two hydrogen refueling stations in California, both located in Los Angeles.

David Herron
David Herron is a writer and software engineer focusing on the wise use of technology. He is especially interested in clean energy technologies like solar power, wind power, and electric cars. David worked for nearly 30 years in Silicon Valley on software ranging from electronic mail systems, to video streaming, to the Java programming language, and has published several books on Node.js programming and electric vehicles.