Fuel cell technology for motor vehicles is fast growing as a viable alternative to diesel and petrol engines. For most hydrogen cell stations, the compressed hydrogen reaches these stations by trucks. However, the new Shell Hydrogen station in Southern California makes use of hydrogen through pipelines to get its supply, making it the first of its kind.
It’s unsurprising to know that Toyota has something to do with this. Yes, that’s right, the station is being run by Shell on land they’ve taken on lease from Toyota, who hope to have created a large market share of hydrogen-cell vehicles by the year 2015. The hydrogen station is located quite centrally, close to several highways and the LA airport, making it fairly accessible for those looking to top up their cars. It can fuel upto four cars simultaneously in under 5 minutes, and is capable of dispensing 100kg of compressed hydrogen fuel over 12 hours.
With the costs of fuel-cell cars coming down rapidly, hydrogen could become a more than viable alternative fuel for cars, which can only be a good thing for both, our atmosphere and our wallets. At $50,000, a fuel-cell powered car isn’t a bad deal at all.
Via: Autopia
