Because highway vehicles account for a large share of petroleum use, carbon dioxide (a primary greenhouse gas) emissions, and air pollution, advances in fuel cell power systems for transportation could substantially improve our energy security and air quality. However, few fuel-cell-powered vehicles are in use today; even fewer are available commercially.
A number of fuel cell vehicle demonstrations are currently underway in the United States with federal, state, and local government entities partnering with industry. Most of these demonstration projects are evaluating the performance of cars, light-duty trucks, and transit buses. Technology validation of the vehicles and supporting infrastructure (fueling stations, maintenance facilities, etc.) provides the real-world data that will help to develop markets and advance hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
To learn more about current transportation technology validation projects, see:
- DOE National Hydrogen Learning Demonstration
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Evaluation for California Transit Agencies
- Annual Merit Review
- Annual Progress Report
Additional DOE transportation technology validation activities include:
- Workshops (Many of DOE's Workshop proceedings are relevant to Technology Validation.)
- Technology Validation Financial Opportunities