The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has opened a public-access hydrogen fueling station at its Diamond Bar, Calif., headquarters.
The new station replaces one originally installed at SCAQMD headquarters in 2004. SCAQMD says the upgraded facility allows for both low- and high-pressure hydrogen refueling and is capable of fueling a vehicle in as little as three minutes. The station has a 100 kg/day capacity, which will allow for about 20 to 25 cars a day to be fueled at the facility.
“Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, along with other zero- and near-zero-emission vehicles, remain a critical component in helping to achieve our clean air goals,” says William A. Burke, chair of SCAQMD. “This upgraded fueling station will help provide a reliable fuel supply for the wave of new hydrogen vehicles being introduced.”
Funding comes from a $17 million grant from the California Energy Commission for installing six new hydrogen fueling stations, as well as upgrading existing fueling sites at SCAQMD and UC Irvine. An additional $1 million for the eight stations was provided by SCAQMD's Clean Fuels fund.
The six new stations will be located in West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Beverly Hills and a second Irvine location. They are expected to be completed within the next 12 months.Â
SCAQMD says it and the California Fuel Cell Partnership, a collaboration of organizations promoting the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have worked for several years to grow California's “Hydrogen Highway.” In California, there are now 11 public hydrogen fueling stations operating, including SCAQMD's, and another 45 in development.
SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
