Energy Commission Celebrates National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day

National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day was October 8 – 10.08, to reflect hydrogen’s atomic weight of 1.008. The day is a celebration to raise awareness of a clean, cutting edge technology that is already powering more than 2,400 cars on the road in California, with the help of investments by the California Energy Commission.

Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions except for water vapor. These cars are critical to the state’s goal of getting 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roads by 2025. They are also a vital part of the state’s work to achieve its climate change goals, improve air quality, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The Energy Commission is supporting all these efforts, and adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, through investments from the Alternative and Renewable Fuels and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP). The program supports innovations in transportation and fuel technologies.

“The Energy Commission is pleased to support the adoption of zero-emission fuel cell electric cars by expanding California’s network of hydrogen refueling stations,” said Energy Commissioner Janea A. Scott. “Every new hydrogen station enables fuel cell drivers to travel more freely, and encourages more Californians to consider getting behind the wheel of these cutting edge and fun-to-drive vehicles.”

Fuel cell vehicles run upwards of 300 miles on a full tank, about the same distance as gasoline-fueled cars. It also takes roughly the same amount of time - three to five minutes - to fill up the fuel tank.

Since June, California’s growing hydrogen refueling network has added new stations in Fremont and San Ramon in the Bay Area, and Lawndale and Torrance in Southern California. Ribbon cuttings are being held this week for the Torrance and San Ramon stations. So far, the Energy Commission has funded 60 stations, with 31 now open.



Photos courtesy of the California Fuel Cell Partnership.