Honda opens new hydrogen fuel station in California

Honda R&D opens new fueling station equipped with fast-fill technology

Honda R&D, the research and development division of the Japanese automaker, has installed a new hydrogen fuel station at its facility in Torrance, California. The new fuel station is designed to serve as a demonstration platform, showcasing fast-fill technology and the convenient nature of fuel stations that provide hydrogen. The station will also serve as a testing site for new technologies developed by Honda R&D. These technologies may be incorporated into a larger fuel infrastructure in California in the future.

Honda continues to show strong support for clean transportation and fuel cell vehicles

Honda has become a strong advocate for hydrogen-powered vehicles and clean transportation in general. The automaker was the first to bring a fuel cell vehicle to the market. While there is still only a limited number of these vehicles available through lease in California, the automaker has plans to expand this availability in the near future. Honda is also preparing to release a new hydrogen-powered vehicle at some point in 2015.

New technology may help make hydrogen-powered vehicles more convenient for drivers

The new fast-fill technology that will be used at Honda R&D's fuel station is designed to provide fuel for storage systems that contain hydrogen at 700 bar pressures. The technology is estimated to make fueling 45% faster than conventional fueling technologies. This may help make hydrogen-powered vehicles slightly more appealing to consumers as it will introduce more convenience to the fueling aspect of owning a vehicle.

Automakers invest heavily in the establishment of a working hydrogen fuel infrastructure

Many automakers have been developing infrastructure solutions that are meant to create a stronger support structure for hydrogen-powered vehicles. These companies are investing in infrastructure projects in many countries and prominent markets. The lack of a sufficient hydrogen fuel infrastructure has been one of the major criticisms that been levied against fuel cell vehicles for some time. Without an expansive infrastructure, these vehicles are not likely to find any support among consumers. Automakers are eager to establish a working infrastructure before new hydrogen-powered vehicles are launched in 2015.