Shell and Toyota, operating as Equilon Enterprises, have been provisionally awarded US$8m from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop a hydrogen truck refueling station at the Port of Long Beach. The funding is contingent on approval at an upcoming commission meeting, and is part of the CEC’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.
The Long Beach port is one of the largest freight hubs in the world, and Shell and Toyota expect the facility to play a role in encouraging uptake of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell trucks.
“The station will help the hydrogen-fueled freight sector to flourish in California,” said Oliver Bishop, hydrogen general manager at Shell.
“Hydrogen offers a promising path for decarbonizing transport, particularly the heavy-duty sector where there are few alternatives to conventional fuel. Shell and Toyota will combine their expertise to deliver an effective alternative fuel for Californian freight.”
Shell will build, own and operate a hydrogen station (assuming the project is approved) at the Toyota Logistics Services site at the port, fueling Toyota’s Project Portal heavy-duty fuel cell proof-of-concept truck and public fleets.
“We greatly appreciate the CEC for recognizing the importance of this breakthrough project at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,” added Craig Scott, director of advanced technology vehicles at Toyota Motor North America.
“Toyota continues to demonstrate that fuel cells are one of the most innovative and sustainable technologies for light and heavy-duty vehicle electrification. This initiative with Shell further strengthens our combined commitment to hydrogen as a viable transport fuel and complements our retail station project in Northern California.”
Shell will source hydrogen from Toyota’s Tri-Gen facility, adjacent to the proposed station, which produces hydrogen from renewable biogas.
