Shell and GM Open Third Public Hydrogen Refueling Station

Another small step towad making hydrogen-powered vehicles a viable alternative to gasoline engines was taken last week as Shell Hydrogen opened a public hydrogen-vehicle refueling station in California. It’s the third such station in the United States, and the first in California. With a number of hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Equinoxes already on the road in Southern California as part of the Project Driveway program, the Santa Monica Boulevard Shell Hydrogen station should have customers right away.

The station, which is integrated with a conventional gas station, if a part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Vehicle and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project (DOE Learning Demo). General Motors and Shell have joined forces under this program to get hydrogen fuel cell vehicles into the hands of the public and to begin creating a refueling infrastructure for hydrogen. The program’s efforts are being focused on Southern California, Washington, D.C., and New York City.

Unlike a conventional gas station, the hydrogen station produces its own fuel. Water electrolysis is done on-site and the hydrogen produced is compressed and stored. The Shell hydrogen station also has a visitor center, where drivers can learn more about fuel cell vehicles.