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Podcasts Take Two
The Ride: Hydrogen fueling stations are hard to come by, but LA has the most
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Dec 21, 2017
The Ride: Hydrogen fueling stations are hard to come by, but LA has the most
With five hydrogen fueling stations, Los Angeles has the most of any city in the country.
The hydrogen fueling pump in South Pasadena is labeled with instructions on exactly how to use it. KPCC host John Rabe said it was easy to follow along.
The hydrogen fueling pump in South Pasadena is labeled with instructions on exactly how to use it. KPCC host John Rabe said it was easy to follow along.
(
John Rabe
)
A label on the hydrogen fueling pump in South Pasadena compares the greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions of cars that run on hydrogen and battery electric power.
A label on the hydrogen fueling pump in South Pasadena compares the greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions of cars that run on hydrogen and battery electric power.
(
John Rabe
)
KPCC host John Rabe (foreground) mugs in front of a hydrogen fueling station in South Pasadena with Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership spokesman Keith Malone and KPCC motor critic Sue Carpenter.
KPCC host John Rabe (foreground) mugs in front of a hydrogen fueling station in South Pasadena with Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership spokesman Keith Malone and KPCC motor critic Sue Carpenter.
(
John Rabe
)

With five hydrogen fueling stations, Los Angeles has the most of any city in the country.

Hydrogen fuel cell cars are a tiny fraction of the vehicular mix on the nation's roadways. But in anticipation of that tiny fraction growing, the California Fuel Cell Partnership is helping to build the refueling infrastructure that will encourage more drivers.

The hydrogen fueling pump in South Pasadena is labeled with instructions on exactly how to use it. KPCC host John Rabe said it was easy to follow along.
The hydrogen fueling pump in South Pasadena is labeled with instructions on exactly how to use it. KPCC host John Rabe said it was easy to follow along.
(
John Rabe
)

As with plug-in electric vehicles, which came on the market seven years ago, it's a chicken and egg scenario. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles exist, but people won't buy them unless they feel confident they'll be able to find the fuel.

Right now, there are 31 hydrogen fueling stations in California-- the most of any state in the country. Of those, 12 are in L.A. County; 5 are in the city of Los Angeles, the most of any city in the country.

A label on the hydrogen fueling pump in South Pasadena compares the greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions of cars that run on hydrogen and battery electric power.
A label on the hydrogen fueling pump in South Pasadena compares the greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions of cars that run on hydrogen and battery electric power.
(
John Rabe
)

Take Two's John Rabe joins motor critic Sue Carpenter for a ride in the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and visits one of the newest hydrogen stations in South Pasadena to find out how it works.