Toyota Motor Sales USA (TMS), the North American sales, marketing, and distribution arm of Toyota, has signed financial agreements with FirstElement Fuel to support the development of new hydrogen refueling stations in California.
Financial assistance from Toyota will be based on an analysis of the grant to FirstElement by the California Energy Commission's (CEC) Notice of Proposed Awards (NOPA), which is expected to receive final approval in June.
As per the terms, FirstElement will develop a network of fueling stations, which will be consistent with the California Fuel Cell Partnership Road Map, across California in market locations approved by Toyota.
TMS Automotive Operations senior vice president Bob Carter said, "California has stepped up with the offer to invest $200 million dollars to build 100 stations, and through this financial arrangement with FirstElement, Toyota is showing its full commitment to deploy zero emission fuel cell vehicles here in California.
"This is just a start, but it's the first step in getting to the point in the near future where this technology will move into the mainstream."
Meanwhile, TMS said that Linde plans to establish a hydrogen fueling station in San Ramon, adjacent to Toyota's San Francisco regional office and parts distribution center.
The facility will cater to local and regional customers, and serve as a key connector site between the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys and the San Francisco Bay Area.
