Governor Brown Signing of AB 8 Powers California Fuel Cell Partnership

January 7th, 2014 by Fiedler Group

California Governor, Jerry Brown, signed Assembly Bill 8 into law through January 2024, effectively accelerating the turnover of older vehicles and equipment, and investing in the development of advanced technologies, like hydrogen, that are necessary to improve California’s air quality, climate, and energy goals.

The bill will fund at least 100 hydrogen fueling stations along California’s Hydrogen Highway, with a commitment of up to $20-million per year from the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.

Considering one of the biggest obstacles to alternative fuel vehicles’ success is the lack of a proper fuel network (they’re few and costly to build), the passage of AB 8 is a clear indicator to both automakers and consumers that California will be home to an alternative fuel vehicle market.

In response, automakers have, and continue to, make considerable investments in fuel cell vehicles.

Hyundai recently showcased a hydrogen-powered Tuscon (small SUV) at the Los Angeles Auto Show, while Honda and Toyota revealed plans to bring electric vehicles to the United States in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

What’s more, the automakers are offering incentives (paying for hydrogen and maintenance costs) to interested consumers, and will be leasing vehicles in the Los Angeles region that is rich with hydrogen fueling stations.