The agreement is the largest deal of its kind and marks the company’s transition from planning the network to actually building it. Earlier this summer FirstElement signed a deal with Black & Veatch who will provide engineering and construction services. The company has received grants from the California Energy Commission and financial backing from Toyota which will help it to build 19 hydrogen charge points throughout the state in 2015.
FirstElement’s goal is to provide a seamless driving experience for drivers of all-electric fuel cell vehicles by creating a network of hydrogen stations. In California, companies such as Toyota, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, and Hyundai are already commercialising fuel cell vehicles. FirstElement’s network will be focused in the state’s San Francisco Bay area and in the Los Angeles region with a few access points located at strategic connector points and destinations to enable driving throughout the state.
“After a summer of hard-fought negotiations, we have all of the pieces in place to get these first 19 stations built” said Joel Ewanick, CEO of FirstElement Fuel. “We have Black & Veatch, the best engineering and construction company for the job, we have the leading hydrogen equipment and gas provider in Air Products, who also has worked closely with Bennett to lead the way in retail hydrogen dispensers. This is a win for the State of California, its people, and the environment - we are thankful to the CEC for making this happen.”
Given that the company is focusing on the retail customer, the removal of range anxiety and assurance of 100 percent reliability are priorities. FirstElement selected Air Products in part because of their performance track record. Air Products will also supply hydrogen to the 19 initial stations, the retail dispensers for which are based on a proven product line that will provide users with familiar fuelling experience. Air Products package includes a contingency plan for supply in the event of some kind of disruption to the network. FirstElement is also working with Bennett Pump Company who will provide a unique look and design for the dispensers.
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