The goal of the alliance between these companies is to make hydrogen vehicles a common sight on Hawaiian roads by 2015. The infrastructure needed is also to be in place by the same year, with 20 to 25 hydrogen stations to provide fuel for the 1 million residents of the Oahu island..
“In Hawaii, we want to address the proverbial chicken or egg dilemma,” said Charles Freese, executive director of GM Fuel Cell Activities. “There has always been a looming issue over how to ensure that the vehicles and the necessary hydrogen refueling infrastructure are delivered to market at the same time. Our efforts in Hawaii will help us meet that challenge."
The goal set by the parties involved is not out of reach. TGC currently produces enough hydrogen to power 10,000 fuel cell vehicles, a perfect fit for GM's three-year experience with such means of propulsion. And Hawaii is only the beginning.
“Once the key hydrogen infrastructure elements are proven in Hawaii, other states can adopt similar approaches,” added Freese. “Germany, Japan and Korea are all building hydrogen infrastructures within this same timeframe. The work in Hawaii can provide a template for other regions.”
The other parties involved in the project for the islands are the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), the US Department of Energy, FuelCell Energy, Aloha Petroleum, Louis Berger and the US Pacific Command.
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