California Fuel Cell Partnership

The California Fuel Cell Partnership is committed to promoting fuel cell vehicle commercialization as a means of moving towards a sustainable energy future increasing energy efficiency and reducing or eliminating air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Collaboration is key

Our members collaborate on activities that advance the technology, often creating consensus that saves time, effort and money. For example, California was the first state to designate hydrogen as a transportation fuel. With that designation came a need to immediately set some standards and regulations. CaFCP and its members provided the Department of Measurement Standards with joint input about hydrogen quality regulations, instead of individually submitting conflicting input to the agency. DMS was able to create the regulation in months instead of years.

Some projects, like public outreach and first responder education, are ongoing and involve a team of staff and members. Other projects arise around one issue, like training drivers on how to use the stations. Staff and members come together as a team to address it and, when completed, the project team disbands.

Regardless of the issue or matter, CaFCP and its members are engaged on a day-to-day basis to move fuel cell electric vehicles closer to market.

Automotive members provide fuel cell passenger vehicles that are placed in demonstration programs, where they are tested in real-world driving conditions.

• Energy members work to build hydrogen stations within an infrastructure that is safe, convenient and fits into the community.
   
• Fuel cell technology members provide fuel cells for passenger vehicles and transit buses.
   
• Government members lay the groundwork for demonstration programs by facilitating steps to creating a hydrogen fueling infrastructure

HISTORY

In January 1999, the California Air Resources Board and California Energy Commission joined with six private-sector companies—Ballard Power Systems, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, BP, Shell Hydrogen and ChevronTexaco—to form the California Fuel Cell Partnership. The goal was to demonstrate and promote the potential for electric vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells as a clean, safe, and practical alternative to vehicles with internal combustion engines. Within a very short time, other government agencies and private businesses became members.