Shell, in collaboration with Toyota and Honda will be opening up seven hydrogen refuelling stations in Northern California. The California Energy Commission has awarded a grant of up to $16 million to introduce those stations.
Toyota and Honda’s role is to also provide financial support to build the stations where 3 will be built in the city of San Francisco, 1 each at Berkeley, Sacramento, Citrus Heights and Walnut Creek.
Whilst many people are focusing on electric as the source, Shell still has a couple of ideas up their sleeve such as using hydrogen fuel cells to power cars instead of heavy reliance on just electric where electricity is still generated through the burning of fossil fuel. This announcement comes after Shell has opened two more hydrogen filling stations in Germany.
The Energy Commission awarded the grant through its Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP), which invests up to $100 million every year to support innovations in transportation and fuel technologies that help California meet its energy, clean air, and climate change goals.
The hydrogen refuelling stations will be installed in strategic locations within the existing network of Shell-branded retail stations, offering existing and future fuel cell electric vehicle drivers high-quality service with simple and straightforward car refuelling in minutes.
“We are grateful to the California Energy Commission for grant funding that will enable customers to choose hydrogen fuel alongside gasoline and diesel,” Oliver Bishop, Hydrogen general manager for Shell Exploration and Production Company, said. “We will apply our worldwide experience of more than 100 years in marketing transportation fuels to the success of these hydrogen refuelling stations. We are also grateful for the contributions of Honda, Toyota, and Anglo American Platinum to these seven stations,” stated . “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.”
“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,” Craig Scott, Advanced Technology Vehicle senior manager, Toyota Motor North America, said. “Toyota is excited to work with such a forward-thinking energy company as we transition to a cleaner, hydrogen future.”
“Honda believes fuel cell technology has great potential to address society’s energy and environmental concerns,” Steve Center, vice president, Connected and Environmental Business Development for American Honda Motor Co., Inc., said. “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.”
“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,” Janea A. Scott, Energy commissioner, said. “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.”
