California Fuel Cell Partnership
[1] In January 1995, three state government agencies—California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Energy Commission joined with six private sector companies—Ballard Power Systems, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, BP, Shell Hydrogen and ChevronTexaco—to form the California Fuel Cell Partnership.
The building includes a public gallery, offices, a hydrogen fueling station and indoor service bays for vehicle maintenance.
During this period, CaFCP members worked on project to prove or disprove the commercially viability—would the vehicles, fuels and public policies meet consumer expectations?
In mid 90s, the South Coast Air Quality Management (SCAQMD) initiated and funded several pilot hydrogen projects at Sunline Transit, in Riverside County, near Palm Springs, California.
The SCAQMD team included several technology companies (such as Ballard, Air Products, Electrolyzer, Schwatz Energy Center) assembled together to demonstrate hydrogen in general transportation use, both in light duty vehicles and transit buses.
As of early 2021, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Saudi Arabia have announced massive programs into producing hydrogen via solar/wind/renewable resources, and deploying it in fuel cell vehicles.
Manufacturers, such as Toyota, Honda and Hyundai, are offering generous incentives to buyers of their hydrogen cars to offset the cost of the fuel.
The members collaborate on activities that advance the technology, such as first responder training, community outreach and agreeing on protocols while standards are being developed.
Automotive members provide fuel cell passenger vehicles that are placed in demonstration programs, where they are tested in real-world driving conditions.
Fossil Fuel members work to build hydrogen stations within an infrastructure that is safe, convenient and fits into the community.
Government members lay the groundwork for demonstration programs by facilitating steps to creating a hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
