The California Air Resources Board (CARB) says the rollout of light-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in the US state is not progressing at pace.

Across 2024, progress has been slow and has not met prior near-term projections amid sluggish FCEV sales and network development, Kallanish notes. California’s hydrogen ecosystem has been affected by a sustained stoppage in the delivery of hydrogen to Southern California stations, supply chain issues, high rates of inflation and high energy costs.

The state agency is calling for continued targeted investments to ensure hydrogen fuel coverage in major markets and travel corridors, as providing a reliable refuelling network is crucial for the wider adoption of hydrogen-powered light-duty transportation.

Yet, the projected total statewide network capacity is now forecast to outpace hydrogen fuelling demand through the end of the decade. CARB says the rollout of hydrogen stations will be delayed in 2025 and 2026.

Overall, CARB recommends using the hydrogen infrastructure support funds to improve station reliability, enhance stakeholder engagement, and leverage federal funding for the Arches hydrogen hub for light-duty vehicles. The Arches programme is designed to fund stations for heavy-duty fuel cell trucks and transit fuel cell buses, though CARB is suggesting co-locating infrastructure for passenger vehicles to optimise costs.

“The past year has proven more difficult than other recent years,” says the state agency. “Some long-standing challenges have persisted like slow permitting timelines, the loss of planned station locations, and equipment reliability challenges.”

According to CARB, FCEVs can play a role in reaching its net zero ambitions, including the 100% zero-emission vehicle sales target for all passenger vehicles by 2035.