The future of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 05/17/2022 04:14 PM PDT

Climate Office

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New study examines future of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Oregon

Scenic view of I-84 and the Columbia River Gorge

Interstate 84 in the Columbia River Gorge

The Climate Office is excited to announce the Hydrogen Pathway Study, our effort to understand and prepare Oregon for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) over the next 15 years, is complete!

Read the executive summary of the study

The full 50-page report and a one page PDF on study recommendations are available online as well.

 

Five takeaways from the study

  1. Hydrogen FCEV technology is viable and more affordable every year. FCEVs have several advantages over battery-electric technology, and costs continue to drop. FCEVs could be a boon for transportation sectors that are harder to decarbonize, like long-haul trucking or long-distance transit routes.
  2. Oregon climate change policy supports FCEVs, and so does private industry. Industry interest in FCEVs and hydrogen production is high; however hydrogen FCEVs are not commercially available in Oregon and there are no existing retail hydrogen fuel stations.
  3. Oregon can take steps to develop the market for hydrogen and FCEVs. We can support industry-led demonstration and pilot projects, coordinate a regional hydrogen highway corridor, and establish a statewide hydrogen planning effort.
  4. Oregon should regularly assess the evolving hydrogen market. This awareness will allow Oregon to more effectively plan for a future hydrogen fuel cell market.
  5. Collaboration matters. ODOT is one player among many in the hydrogen space. Partnerships with neighboring states, industry players, public and private fleets, utilities and nonprofits will be key.

What’s next?

Using what we’ve learned from the Hydrogen Pathway study, we’ll work with our partners to:

  1. Engage with regional stakeholders to coordinate interests and identify technology demonstration and pilot projects.    
  2. Pursue federal funding for hydrogen fueling infrastructure on select highway corridors.
  3. Continue to assess the hydrogen market to understand how Oregon can best prepare for FCEVs and support the hydrogen market. 

Thank you for your support of the Hydrogen Pathway Study and our work to address the effects of climate change in Oregon. Send questions about hydrogen FCEVs or our other work to Climate.Office@odot.state.or.us.

Media contact: Matt Noble, ODOT PIO | 503-779-9868