Hydrogen Vehicles & Refueling Infrastructure

Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles are critical to the state’s goal of getting 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roads by 2025. They are also a vital part of the state’s work to achieve its climate change goals, improve air quality, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Fuel cell electric vehicles use hydrogen as a fuel source and have no tailpipe emissions except for water vapor. They are available in a wide variety of vehicle types: cars, SUVs, and buses.

Through the Clean Transportation Program, formerly known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, the California Energy Commission is supporting the adoption of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric cars by expanding California’s network of hydrogen refueling stations throughout the state. The Energy Commission is investing in an initial network of 100 public hydrogen stations across California to support the fuel cell electric cars that are on the road now, and to encourage more consumers to consider these zero-emission vehicles.

Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

Hydrogen fuel cell electric cars have many advantages over vehicles powered by fossil fuels, including:

• Refuel in less than five minutes at retail stations
• Produce water vapor, with zero tailpipe emissions
• Hydrogen fuel can be sustainably produced