California's burgeoning Hydrogen Highway has taken a turn through Chino, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. Here, Chevron unveiled its first hydrogen energy station as part of a U.S. Department of Energy cost-sharing program designed to demonstrate safe, practical hydrogen technology in real-world settings. The station will service a fleet of five Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage fuel cell vehicles throughout the life of the five-year program. Since the station intentionally offers a consumer-friendly design and feel, its life expectancy is significantly longer than this initial demonstration period with the Hyundai/Kia fuel cell fleet.
The new Chino hydrogen station is the product of a major collaboration. ChevronTexaco Technology Ventures is providing the technology to produce hydrogen on-site from hydrocarbon feedstocks such as natural gas. Hyundai Motor Company not only is supplying the test fleet but also the land. The station sits on the property of the Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center, which is responsible for all Hyundai and Kia engineering activities in the U.S. Partner UTC Fuel Cells is responsible for test vehicle propulsion. Even motor sports legend Mario Andretti lent a hand, piloting the first vehicle demonstrated at the site.
