– FirstElement Fuel, the world’s leading provider of hydrogen refueling solutions, receives $7.7 million from the California Energy Commission to increase its manufacturing capacity
The grant award will help expand production at FirstElement Fuel’s manufacturing facility in Santa Ana, California by more than 10 times, increasing local jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by enabling more zero-emission transportation
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 16, 2023/PRNewswire/ — FirstElement Fuel Inc. (“FEF” or the “Company”), announced today that it has received a $7.7 million grant from the California Energy Commission ( “CEC”) to increase production from the company’s Santa Ana, CA manufacturing facility by more than 10-fold. FEF, a California-based company, is the world leader in hydrogen refueling solutions and currently operates the world’s largest network of hydrogen refueling stations consisting of 85 dispensers at 40 stations, serving hydrogen-powered vehicles in all California.
“CEC is playing a very important role in transitioning the state of California and the world away from fossil fuels. It is a true honor to continue our partnership with CEC to make zero emission transportation a reality,” said Joel Ewanick, Founder and CEO of FEF.
FEF’s Santa Ana manufacturing facility currently produces critical high-tech components and systems for hydrogen refueling stations, including liquid hydrogen cryo-pump systems. The expansion of the Santa Ana, CA FirstElement Fuel Innovation Center, partially funded by the CEC, will increase local jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enabling more zero-emission transportation. FEF received the grant through the CEC’s Zero Emission Transportation Manufacturing Competitive Grant Application. FEF will also contribute at least $14 million to the project.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles have the ability to transform modern transportation by eliminating tailpipe emissions, reducing carbon emissions, and more than doubling driving efficiency compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. California state government policy has for decades supported a transition to hydrogen in the transportation sector as part of its zero-emission vehicle strategy, placing the state in a leadership position for hydrogen-related development. California’s policies have also laid the foundation for FEF’s success in becoming the world’s leading hydrogen refueling company. The creation of adequate supply chains and the manufacture of hydrogen refueling station equipment to support the development of a hydrogen refueling network is critical to the success of the growth of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
“FirstElement is a true California story – the company could not have been born anywhere else,” said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Counsel to Governor Newsom and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. “They are emblematic of California’s role in creating new markets and expanding clean energy manufacturing, building on our world-class workforce and continued commitment to a carbon-free economy.”
Patty Monahan, CEC Senior Commissioner for the Clean Transportation Program, commented, “CEC is proud to be funding FirstElement Fuel’s expansion into manufacturing hydrogen refueling components here in California. This will not only create jobs for the community local, but will also help the state transition to zero-emission transportation.”
“FirstElement’s initiative will help create jobs of the future here locally, which are exactly the kinds of jobs we want to see more of in Santa Ana,” said Mayor Valerie Amezcua. “We are honored that FirstElement has chosen Santa Ana as its manufacturing location and we will continue to foster a business-friendly environment in our city.”
FEF’s manufacturing expansion project will run through March 2026 and will allow FEF to increase the number of liquid hydrogen bombs built per year by a factor of 10. FEF will also increase its bomb testing capacity at its hydrogen logistics center and field test facility located in Livermore, CA, as part of this project.
About First Element Fuel Inc.
FirstElement Fuel Inc is a California-based company established in 2013 to provide safe and reliable retail hydrogen to fuel cell electric vehicle customers. The company is the leading provider of hydrogen refueling stations in California and the world, with facilities in Irvine, Santa Ana and Livermore, CA. FEF has 40 light-duty retail stations throughout California and is developing a network of stations to service hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks, beginning with the first high-flow filling station in Oakland, CA as part of a joint project with California Air Resources Board and CEC. Over the past 10 years since FEF’s founding, the company has partnered with public organizations including the California Energy Commission, South Coast Air Quality Management District, California Air Quality Management District, Bay Area Air and the Sacramento Municipal Air Quality Management District, which have also provided funding. Private partnerships include those with Mitsui
Learn about FirstElement Fuel Inc. at FirstElementFuel.com
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