Entering its third year, National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day has expanded in the number of events and increased activity on social media, especially from passenger car drivers. And many supporters have pushed beyond the actual day, October 8, to host events or make announcements in the days that followed.
National Hydrogen Day was chosen for October 8 because the numbers 10/08 match the atomic weight of hydrogen: 1.008.
On, Sunday, October 8, fuel cell car drivers hosted get togethers in Torrance and Sacramento area, with drivers of Toyota, Hyundai and Honda vehicles getting together to share stories and learn more about technology. In Southern California, drivers met at the recently upgraded Torrance station for a light breakfast and conversation. In Northern California, drivers from San Ramon, Davis and Sacramento took a ride through the beautiful Delta and met at the historic Ryde Hotel for brunch.
The following day, Shell hosted a celebration of the upgraded Torrance, its first retail hydrogen station in the U.S. Shell officials were joined by California Energy Commissioner Janea Scott, Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi and State Senator Steven Bradford.
On Tuesday, Linde North American hosted a ribbon cutting of its recently opened San Ramon station. Special guests included State Senator Steve Glazer, Assembly Member Catherine Baker, Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen, Air Resources Board member and Sacramento County supervisor Phil Serna, San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson, many members of the San Ramon Chamber in addition Chamber executive director Stewart Bambino as well as Deputy Director of Fuels & Transportation John Kato of the California Energy Commission. Dawn Mercer, national manager of Toyota’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Marketing, welcomed attendees to the ribbon cutting and spoke of Toyota’s contribution of land to site the station. Guests were treated to cupcakes with H2 in frosting.
Secretary of Energy Rick Perry took a test drive in the Toyota Mirai with Dr. Sunita Satyapal, director of D.O.E.'s Fuel Cell Technologies Office. Secretary Perry later tweeted about the experience (http://ow.ly/wr2g30fPQHy) and noted that a video of the test drive will become available shortly.
Linde North America also had a limited-time special price of $10.08/kg to celebrate the day.
Several automakers made announcements during the week about their fuel cell vehicles and zero-emission vehicles.
As part of its H2 Day announcement, Honda said that it would have two-third of its global vehicle sales comprised of electrified vehicles, including fuel cells, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and battery-electric vehicles, by 2030.
Hyundai announced that its Tucson Fuel Cell drivers had accumulated more than three million zero-emission miles by October 8.
Toyota focused on its Project Portal initiative, announcing that its fuel cell truck will start drayage routes at the Port of Los Angeles on October 23rd.
Other links:
California Energy Commission Celebrates National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day
Linde Cares — Linde Opens New Hydrogen Fueling Station in San... from Linde North America’s Tweet