Submitted Comment Name Omar S Affiliation N/A Subject Hydrogen price at the pump and the need for action Message Hydrogen is a vital component for the future of clean transportation, offering distinct advantages that other zero-emission technologies cannot easily match. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) powered by hydrogen can refuel in just minutes and provide long driving ranges, making them especially suitable for heavy-duty uses such as freight trucks, buses, and trains 38. California’s climate objectives recognize hydrogen’s importance: it is essential for meeting targets like putting 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road and achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 3. The state has already invested billions in hydrogen infrastructure and attracted significant federal support, highlighting hydrogen’s role in the clean energy transition 35. Despite these goals, hydrogen vehicle adoption in California has stalled. The price of hydrogen fuel has surged from about $12 to $36 per kilogram from Oct 2022 till June 2023, making it the most expensive in the world and less competitive than gasoline or battery-electric options. This sharp price increase, along with supply disruptions and a lack of refueling stations, has led to a dramatic drop in FCEV sales. While state leadership has announced new strategies and support for hydrogen, progress on the ground has not matched the urgency of the climate crisis or consumer needs. Without decisive action to expand infrastructure, stabilize supply, and lower costs, California risks losing its leadership position and undermining hydrogen’s promise as a key solution for a sustainable, zero-emission future 58. Canada has $14.70/kg. No one should have to pay >$200 for a clean fuel while continuing to be screwed over by your failed policies. A major factor slowing FCEV growth is California’s slow permitting process for hydrogen stations. The state aimed to have 200 hydrogen refueling stations open by 2025, but projections now show only 87 will be operational by year’s end—a 60% shortfall 5 and only 130 operational by 2030. This is largely due to permitting delays: out of over 540 jurisdictions, only one has adopted streamlined permitting for hydrogen stations, as required by state law. This bureaucratic bottleneck has directly hindered infrastructure rollout, weakened consumer confidence, and stalled FCEV adoption. Developers face long delays and uncertainty, making it difficult to plan and invest in new locations. Combined with high fuel prices and supply issues, these challenges threaten California’s vision for a robust zero-emission vehicle ecosystem. To achieve its climate and transportation goals, the state must urgently address these permitting barriers, enforce streamlined processes across all jurisdictions, and accelerate hydrogen station deployment statewide 45. Get your act together else you will lose to China and Democrats will lose the next election and climate change will only continue to get worse while the other group will say it is a hoax. ________________________________________ Cited Sources (in order): 1. https://driveclean.ca.gov/hydrogen-fuel-cell 2. https://h2fcp.org/benefits 3. https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/clean-transporta… 4. https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/HY?state=CA 5. https://ucits.org/projects/developing-a-spatial-roadmap-for-near-and-lo… 6. https://h2fcp.org 7. https://cleanvehiclerebate.org/en/ev/technology/fueling/hydrogen 8. https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/fuel-cell 1. https://driveclean.ca.gov/hydrogen-fuel-cell 2. https://h2fcp.org/benefits 3. https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/clean-transporta… 4. https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/HY?state=CA 5. https://ucits.org/projects/developing-a-spatial-roadmap-for-near-and-lo… 6. https://h2fcp.org 7. https://cleanvehiclerebate.org/en/ev/technology/fueling/hydrogen 8. https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/fuel-cell File Upload (i.e., Attachments): N/A N/A
Submission information