More hydrogen stations opening for consumers
During a keynote speech at the CTSI Clean Technology Conference Duncan Macleod, vice president of Shell Hydrogen, announced a new fueling station in Los Angeles that will be open for the public. The station will create hydrogen on site using an electrolyzer.
As this CNet news story reports, “Macleod argued that fuel cell vehicles will be mass-produced by 2020. To make that happen, “mini networks” of hydrogen filling stations in densely populated cities need to take root now. Macleod said that fuel cell vehicles are at a pivotal point in development: With the proper government incentives and technology investments now, hydrogen can be produced in cleaner ways.”
Infrastructure is the biggest hurdle for hydrogen cars and Shell is making the commitment to building this infrastructure out in places where hydrogen vehicle test fleets can take advantage. Shell has also promised to build more hydrogen stations in the coming months in Southern California, bringing more access to the fuel for consumers.
Shell’s commitment to hydrogen signals a belief that hydrogen can become a profitable business for energy companies; it’s a signal the automakers and Congress should look at as well.
