California Rolls Out Hydrogen Fuel Transition Plan

California continues to take aggressive steps to curb emissions and plans are underway to create upwards of 176 hydrogen fueling stations by 2026.

According to a recent California Air Resources Board (CARB) report, approximately 100 hydrogen fueling stations could be operational by the end of 2023. The state reportedly has 48 stations that service 8,000 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) on the road today and anticipates delivering enough retail fueling infrastructure to accommodate hundreds of thousands.

“These announcements have created an unprecedented outlook for hydrogen fueling station network development in California,” the CARB report states. “By 2026, the total hydrogen fueling capacity in the state would be sufficient for cumulative deployment of approximately 250,000 FCEVs in California.”

Although the immediate proposal remains focused on reducing carbon emissions from passenger automobiles, CARB officials indicate a desire to also transition heavy-duty vehicles as part of a long-term plan. Citing increased mileage capabilities and quick refueling, CARB officials want to create opportunities to eliminate diesel-powered medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicle usage.

“Deployment of hydrogen-powered fuel cells in these sectors (medium- and heavy-duty) may offer substantial opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions, especially near communities that have historically been disproportionally impacted by the emissions of freight movement and other commercial activity,” the CARB report states.

One of the primary reasons the freight hauling industry could trail passenger vehicles stems from two factors. First, cars, trucks, and SUVs, account for more than 109 million vehicles that produce carbon emissions every day. By contrast, there are reportedly 15.5 million trucks in the U.S. and only 2 million tractor-trailers. The other reason is that hydrogen technology and fuel production run significantly higher than gas and diesel. But with EV vehicles trending, companies such as Toyota, Kenworth, Nikola, and Hyundai, among others, are working toward cost-effective solutions. And although CARB emphasizes passenger vehicles in its first wave of FCEVs, truck manufacturers expect at least a hydrogen footprint in the U.S. by 2030.

“They’re quiet. The emissions, the environmental impact, the noise — these are really great benefits for just the person that sees it on the road day-to-day,” Hyundai director of corporate planning Yuval Steiman reportedly said. He also reportedly went on the record indicating upwards of 12,000 hydrogen trucks could be operating in the U.S. by 2030.

Other industry insiders agree with the Hyundai director, and some go as far as to assert heavy-duty vehicles are better options than passenger vehicles. Karl Brauer, an analyst at vehicle-research site iSeeCars.com, reportedly stated that hydrogen technology makes inherently more sense in heavy-duty vehicles than passenger cars due to powertrain capacity. His position is supported by manufacturer Toyota positioning the release of a zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle in partnership with Hino. It appears the trucking industry could transition to hydrogen once adequate and cost-effective fuel stations are in place.

Sources: freightwaves.com, truckinginfo.com