Toyota opens first hydrogen fueling station in the U.S.

Toyota's first hydrogen plant in U.S.

They changed the way in which the world viewed the hybrid car, and now Toyota is out to do the same with hydrogen fuel-cell technology. Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. celebrated the opening of the first hydrogen fueling station in the US, fed directly from an active industrial hydrogen pipeline.

The station will provide hydrogen for the Toyota fuel cell hybrid demonstration program vehicles as well as other manufacturers’ fuel cell vehicle fleets in the Los Angeles area.

“Building an extensive hydrogen re-fueling infrastructure is a critical step in the successful market launch of fuel cell vehicles,” said Chris Hostetter, group vice president, product and strategic planning, TMS. “We plan to bring a fuel cell vehicle to market in 2015, or sooner, and the infrastructure must be in place to support our customers’ needs.”

The station is adjacent to the TMS headquarters in Torrance, California, and is operated by Shell. The station is a collaborative project between the two companies, as well as Air Products, South Coast Air Quality Management District, and the Department of Energy.

– By: Stephen Calogera