That’s the message coming today (Jan 14) from Senator Newman, Senator Archuleta and California State Assembly Sharon Quirk-Silva, who have called for funding to support hydrogen infrastructure developments in the region.

For quite some time now, it has been recognised that that California is leading the way when it comes to the adoption of hydrogen infrastructure and the vehicles that come with such developments, however, the trio don’t believe the current natural build-out is enough – especially if the state is to decarbonise its transport sector.

Taking this into account, the trio has called on California Governor Gavin Newsom to support the adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles with “much needed” funding.

Such call is off the back of Governor Newsom’s 2022-2023 proposed budget, which does propose investments to support the uptake of zero-emissions vehicles in low-income neighbourhoods, as well as for heavy-duty transportation, but nothing for the standard hydrogen car.

A letter addressed to Governor Newsom, and signed by the trio, stated, “While we are pleased to learn of the proposed investments to support uptake of zero-emissions vehicles in low-income neighbourhoods, as well as for heavy-duty transportation and infrastructure across the state, we are dismayed that the 2022-2023 proposed budget does not provide appropriate and much-needed funding for the infrastructure to support the adoption and expansion of light-duty fuel cell electric vehicles.”

The letter continues, “One critical takeaway from the recent COP26 Global Climate Summit in Glasgow is that California needs to take practical, proactive steps to avoid ceding its longstanding leadership position on climate change and sustainable mobility policies. Failing to include funding for light-duty hydrogen electric vehicle infrastructure would allow for just that.

“In recent weeks, other states, including New York and New Mexico, have announced significant new investments in hydrogen fuel cell transportation, and the European Union, China, South Korea and Japan have done the same.

“Meanwhile, the number of Californians drive zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is well above 11,000 and ensure that early adopters of this promising technology can count on appropriate infrastructure and consistent supply of hydrogen is critical.”