Shell partners Toyota to build hydrogen fuelling stations in California

Washington

ROYAL Dutch Shell will build seven fuelling stations for hydrogen cars in California through a partnership with Toyota Motor Corp, laying down their latest bet on the demise of the internal combustion engine.

The stations will nudge the state closer to its goal of having 100 retail sites by 2024 where hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles can fill up. The California Energy Commission is considering US$16.4 million in grants towards the stations, with Shell and Toyota contributing US$11.4 million.

The Shell-Toyota partnership "shows there's a lot of interest, and that the hydrogen market is poised to move forward rapidly", said Janea Scott, a member of the California commission.

Toyota plans to rely on hydrogen to all but rid its line-up of traditional engine models by 2050. The lack of refuelling infrastructure is a major hurdle to zero-emission cars catching on with consumers - California has just 25 sta…