LOS ANGELES: Toyota and Shell may be awarded US$8mil (RM32mil) by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop the first hydrogen-truck refuelling station to be located at the Port of Long Beach.
"Hydrogen offers a promising path for decarbonising transport, particularly the heavy-duty sector where there are few alternatives to conventional fuel", said Shell hydrogen general manager Oliver Bishop.
The joint-project's 'green light' is looking for approval to come at an upcoming CEC meeting that convenes about the development of hydrogen and electric infrastructure at ports, warehousing and distribution centres within the state of California.
Shell and Toyota expect the facility to encourage the use of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in and around Long Beach, one of the world's largest freight hubs.
If approved, Shell will build, own and operate a hydrogen station at the Toyota Logistics Services location at the Port of Long Beach, fueling Toyota's Project Portal heavy-duty fuel cell proof of concept truck and public fleets.
"Toyota continues to demonstrate that fuel cells are one of the most innovative and sustainable technologies for light and heavy-duty vehicle electrification," said Toyota Motor North America advanced technology vehicles director Craig Scott.
"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 its hydrogen from Toyota's adjacent Tri-Gen facility, which produces hydrogen from 100% renewable bio-gas.
