$70M pledged for hydrogen fuel access

Medium- and heavy-duty trucks in Texas’ biggest cites will have more access to hydrogen once five new fueling stations built with federal funds are open for business.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments will receive $70 million to build up to five hydrogen stations in Houston, DallasFort Worth, Austin and San Antonio, federal officials announced.

“Texas is already a leader in energy, and our infrastructure must meet the needs of emerging technologies so we can keep growing our economy and creating jobs,” U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, said in a statement.

As part of federal efforts to reduce gasoline consumption, freight is increasingly looking to alternative fuels. Unlike electrification in cars, heavy trucks are turning to fuels like hydrogen. Limiting development, however, are places where the trucks can be reliably refueled as they travel between locations.

“Funding to build hydrogen refueling sites throughout the Texas Triangle will provide the initial foundation of refueling locations that the freight sector needs to make a transition to cleaner fuel while allowing operators the ability to serve customers’ cargo needs no matter where they call home within the corridor,” said Lori Clark, director of the DallasFort Worth Clean Cities Coalition.

When built, the hydrogen stations will add to a growing network and place available refueling in metro areas from Southern California to Texas, primarily along Interstate 10.

The federal money comes from $623 million in grants aimed at spurring alternative fuel use in the U.S., including electric cars.

“We are fast approaching the point when (electric vehicles) will be cheaper than internal combustion vehicles,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on a Wednesday call with reporters.

In addition to the money for hydrogen refueling, the Dallas area was awarded $15 million for 100 new EV charging locations in the 16-county metro area. Another $15 million was given to the City of El Paso for 74 charging locations in public areas of the city.

The aim, federal officials said, was to fill gaps where private companies have been unable or unwilling to invest in making the use of EVs more approachable for those in apartments or neglected communities.

“We have got to meet the American people where they are and provide solutions and choices,” said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi.