The Hydrogen Transition

This paper examines the current status of hydrogen vehicle and infrastructure development, discusses ongoing rollout activities for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and analyzes key issues associated with a transition toward large-scale use of hydrogen in transportation. Drawing on developments in California, the US, Europe and Asia, both near term and long term transition issues are discussed. These include managing the early introduction of hydrogen vehicles and associated infrastructure, and accomplishing a longer term transition to low carbon sources for hydrogen such as renewables and hydrocarbons with carbon capture and sequestration. Current policies, stakeholder roles, and necessary future policies to catalyze the introduction of hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles, also are discussed.