Shell shutdowns all Hydrogen refueling stations in California - The beginning of the end of Hydrogen cars?

In California, the comedy of hydrogen fueling stations is unfolding as all seven operated by a certain group are set to shut down starting this week. These stations, once hailed as the future's fueling havens for light vehicles, are now delivering a comedic blow to the American hydrogen vehicle market, despite being showered with subsidies.

So far, California boasted up to 55 hydrogen refueling stations, with seven under the wing of Shell through a partnership with the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership. This closure sends a slapstick slap to the face of hydrogen fuel's dreams of alternative fuel stardom.

At present, the U.S. market features three hydrogen-powered chariots - the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and Honda Clarity, roaming with 18,000 fuel cell vehicles in California and 66 buses sharing the same fate.

However, Shell Hydrogen's Vice President, Andrew Beard, in a less than enthusiastic announcement, revealed the closure of these seven stations due to the labyrinthine complexities of hydrogen supply and lukewarm market reception.

Studies show that the majority of hydrogen stations in California are currently operating on reduced hours, with some temporarily out of service. Reports from Hydrogen Insight highlight disruptions in supply since August 2023, even leading one Uber driver to lament the Herculean challenge of refueling with hydrogen.

Some hydrogen fuel station operators are wrestling with the resilience of their hydrogen charging systems, as seen by Iwatani, a Japanese firm grappling with technical issues. This situation has forced Iwatani to initiate legal action against their suppliers due to technical failures impacting sales.

All these episodes paint a future for hydrogen fuel in America that's as uncertain as a sitcom plot, with slow progress in new technology introduction and the high cost of hydrogen fuel.

In the U.S., fuel cell vehicles come with a generous hydrogen quota at purchase. However, once that runs out, consumers face the daunting reality of expensive fuel prices, frequently malfunctioning stations, and long queues.

This comedy of errors has led to a dramatic drop in the resale value of fuel cell vehicles in the American market, turning the hydrogen car saga into an unexpected punchline.

Malaysia had initiated efforts towards establishing hydrogen fueling infrastructure as part of its push towards cleaner energy sources. Sarawak, in particular, had shown interest in hydrogen fuel technology, with the launch of its first hydrogen refueling station in Kuching.

This station was intended to support the state's hydrogen-powered bus service and other future hydrogen vehicles. However, the wider availability and distribution of hydrogen refueling stations across Malaysia might still be in the developmental stages, with specific plans and timelines subject to change based on government policies and private sector involvement.

Also read: Second-generation Toyota Mirai in Malaysia; first 5 units delivered