Life has always been tough for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and it’s getting tougher thanks to Shell’s announcement it’s closing its retail gas stations in California. Information about hydrogen reported that the energy company operated seven stations for consumer FCEV owners, six of them closed immediately due to “supply complications and other external market factors.” A light-duty retail station in Torrance remains open as of this writing as Shell attempts to find a buyer (which would be the same one, pictured above, as autoblog Publisher James Riswick discovered it was closed due to maintenance and ongoing parts shortages.)
The measures leave Shell with three hydrogen stations operating in California, exclusively for industry and heavy vehicles. Shell will continue to invest in that hydrogen output, allocating $1 billion a year to high-strength H2 as well as atmospheric carbon capture and storage. On the consumer side, the focus will be on electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The closure here comes two years after Shell did the same in the United Kingdom, and follows about six months of closing operations in California. In 2020, when a kilogram of H2 cost about $13, Shell proposed building 48 new stations in the state. California offered a $40.6 million grant as an incentive. Last September, Shell canceled the plan and rejected the grant money. Those funds, and the $8 billion to be spent by the U.S. Department of Energy on the Hydrogen Hub plan, could not overcome difficulties in obtaining permits for the stations, high construction costs, fickle machinery and ensuring a steady supply. .
There aren’t too many drivers driving hydrogen-powered vehicles in the United States, but every new hurdle like this makes it difficult to attract more. When we covered pricing for the 2024 Toyota Mirai, we wrote that the sedan comes with $15,000 in free hydrogen, but the price of a fill-up had risen from about $65 to $200. In a written statement to Automotive newssaid the automaker after the Shell closures, “Toyota recognizes that certain Mirai customers in California may experience refueling challenges due to recent hydrogen station closures. We will continue to work with affected Mirai customers to help identify ways to address your concerns on a case-by-case basis,” and provided an 800 number for assistance.
direct cars says anyone interested in purchasing a Mirai can gain even greater appeal. One of the purchase offers is a cash back up to $30,000, the even better offer is for financing and a rebate, up to $40,000 off the price and $0 financing for five years. These only apply to the Limited trim which starts at $68,210; Still, it means potentially getting a very nice sedan with a 402-mile range and free refills for about the price of a Camry, if, you know, you’re okay with hydrogen. The offers are said to be valid until March 4.
The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association, which includes automakers Honda, Hyundai and Toyota, along with industry players, said: “While this news will cause temporary challenges, we are watching fuel hubs and corridors develop. hydrogen, new vehicles are highlighted and additional hydrogen is required. “There are advances in infrastructure that give optimism about hydrogen mobility as an important tool in our global decarbonization efforts.”
About 54 retail stations remain in the state after Shell’s departure. However, the association’s list of open stations shows only 33 actually dispensing high-pressure H70 at the time of this writing.