The California Energy Commission has approved a grant $16 million in funding for the construction of seven new hydrogen stations in California. The grant was awarded to Equilon Enterprises LLC, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company. Toyota and Honda will also offer financial support as they collaborate to build the hydrogen stations at seven Shell-branded retail stations across Northern California. There will be three built in San Francisco, and one in each of Berkeley, Sacramento, Citrus Heights and Walnut Creek. This will offer existing, and future, electric vehicle drivers simple and straight forward, high quality, service in minutes.
Energy Commissioner Janea Scott says, “the California Energy Commission is pleased to support the adoption of zero-emission fuel cell electric cars through the expansion of California’s network of hydrogen refuelling stations,” and “the Commission looks forward to continuing its work with private and public partners to help transform California’s transportation system to help the state achieve its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, improve air quality, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”
The grant was awarded through the Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP). Every year, the programme supports and invents up to $100 million in innovations in transportation and fuel technologies that will help California meet its targets when it comes to energy, clean air, and climate change goals. “A range of different fuels and vehicle technologies will be needed to meet transport needs in a low carbon energy future. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are one of these solutions,” said Oliver Bishop, hydrogen general manager for Shell Exploration and Production Company.
He also added: “We are grateful to the California Energy Commission for grant funding that will enable customers to choose hydrogen fuel alongside gasoline and diesel. We will apply our worldwide experience of more than 100 years in marketing transportation fuels to the success of these hydrogen refuelling stations.”
Craig Scott, advanced technology vehicle senior manager, Toyota Motor, North America, notes that “Toyota and Shell have a long-standing relationship in support of hydrogen infrastructure development, dating back to the 2009 opening of Shell’s only dedicated hydrogen refuelling station at our facility in Torrance, California,” therefore, “Toyota is excited to work with such a forward-thinking energy company as we transition to a cleaner, hydrogen future,” he adds.
Likewise, “Honda believes fuel cell technology has great potential to address society’s energy and environmental concerns,” said Steve Center, vice president, connected and environmental Business Development for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “With companies like Shell supporting hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, the motoring public and the investment communities will take note that hydrogen is going to be a major part of the future of clean, low carbon mobility.”
