Missed the last issue of Currents? Click here to view it in your web browser! | | Toyota and Hyroad to Deploy Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks | |
On May 4, Toyota Motor North America announced an agreement with Hyroad Energy to deploy 40 hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 commerical trucks in Southern California. Under the agreement, Hyroad will provide trucks, maintenance, data and software services to support Toyota’s logistics operations. Toyota will supply hydrogen fuel through its own refueling infrastructure, currently under development in Ontario, California.
| |
Source: Toyota
Click here for the full press release from Toyota.
| NEL Announces Commercial Launch of Next-Generation Alkaline Electrolyzer System | | |
On May 6, NEL announced the commercial launch of its next-generation alkaline electrolyzer system. The system was in development for eight years in NEL's Heroya facility in Norway and is designed to be a modular, skid-based design, with factory-assembled units delivered as a standardized product. NEL estimates that the full-scope cost of its deployment will be below $1,450 USD per kW based on a 25 MW plant.
| | Click here for the full press release from NEL. | | Ballard Selected by Two Long-Standing Partners to Supply Fuel Cells for Buses | | |
On May 6, Ballard Power Systems announced that its long-standing partner, Solaris, formally selected Ballard as the fuel cell supplier for its next‑generation hydrogen fuel cell bus.
Solaris will integrate Ballard’s FCmove®‑SC hydrogen fuel cell engine into its Generation 2 fuel cell bus. The sale of engines has been incorporated into an update of the existing LTSA, extending it to 2029, to match with next-gen bus delivery while also strategically aligning commercial terms.
Read the full press release from Ballard here.
| | |
On May 7, Ballard Power Systems announced that Wrightbus, another long‑standing partner, has formally nominated Ballard as the fuel cell supplier for its next‑generation StreetDeck Hydroliner Gen 3.0 hydrogen bus platform. This nomination covers the integration of Ballard’s FCmove®‑SC hydrogen fuel cell engine into Wrightbus’ Gen 3.0 double‑decker FCEV bus, with series production scheduled to begin in 2027.
Read the full press release from Ballard here.
| | |
Communications and Marketing Committee (CMC):
The CMC covers a variety of communications and marketing topics including, but not limited to, FCHEA external messaging development, combating negative messaging, key success stories from members, and more. If you or your colleagues are interested in joining, please reach out to Tobias Hanson at thanson@fchea.org or Jennifer Gangi at jgangi@fchea.org.
Technical and Regulatory Affairs Working Group (TRWG):
The TRWG covers a variety of technical and regulatory topics including, but not limited to, codes and standards, chemicals, emissions testing, lifecycle analysis, and other regulatory issues. If you or your colleagues are interested in joining, please reach out to Mhamed Samet at msamet@fchea.org.
| Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube! | Do you follow FCHEA on LinkedIn and YouTube? If not, please click on the LinkedIn and YouTube icons below! | | |
Hydrogen investment appetite rebounds on ‘grounded’ market shift, says law firm
Gasworld | May 6, 2026
EU awards over €1 billion to European hydrogen projects to accelerate the clean transition
European Commission | May 6, 2026
Green Hydrogen in Europe: Who Stands to Benefit from Nuclear
Factset Insight | May 6, 2026
Stony Brook Researchers to Test Hydrogen-Powered System to Advance Clean Energy on Long Island
Stony Brook University News | May 6, 2026
Europe Funds Large-Vessel Hydrogen Project
Marine Link | May 6, 2026
CHARBONE Announces the Opening of its First Hub in the United States in Albany, NY
CHARBONE | May 6, 2026
Hydrogen Exploration in Iowa Moves Forward Under New State Guidelines
Brownfield | May 5, 2026
Powertech Labs Unveils High-Capacity Hydrogen Tube Trailer
ACT News | May 5, 2026
Major Semi-Truck Makers Are Switching From Diesel Engines To A New Hybrid Option
BGR | May 4, 2026
UT Startup to Scale Hydrogen Fuel Cell Tech with UT Seed Fund Investment
UT News | May 4, 2026
Could Hydrogen Be the Future of Energy or Is It All Hot Air?
U.S. Government Accountability Office | April 30, 2026
| |
Be sure to stay on top of state and DC-based events through FCHEA's This Week in Hydrogen and Fuel Cells email newsletter. If you are not already subscribed, please contact Connor Dolan at cdolan@fchea.org.
| | |
“Hydrogen is not some far off idea anymore. It is quickly becoming one of the most important pieces of the future of new energy economy whether we’re talking about fertilizer production, industrial use or new low carbon fuels. Iowa is well positioned to be part of that future.”
- Iowa State Senator Derek Wulf (R)
Source: Hydrogen Exploration in Iowa Moves Forward Under New State Guidelines
| | California Hydrogen Summitt | |
June 8-9, 2026
Sacramento, California
Step into the conversations shaping California’s energy transition. The California Hydrogen Summit brings together the policymakers, innovators, and industry leaders driving the strategies that will reduce emissions, strengthen air quality, and build a more resilient energy ecosystem.
Click here for more information.
| |
June 9-10, 2026
Houston, Texas
TheChemE Show Powered by ACHEMA brings together engineers, operators, and decision-makers across hydrogen, chemicals, and process industries to focus on real-world implementation and scale.
Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) members receive an exclusive 10% discount to attend ChemE Show 2026 using code FCHEA10.
Click here for more information.
| Requests for Papers, Proposals, & Information | | Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program (TxVEMP) All-Electric Grants Program | | |
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has extended the grant application deadline for the Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program (TxVEMP) All-Electric Grants Program.
In addition to the deadline extension, freight switcher locomotives have been added as a new eligible equipment category for replacement or repower with all-electric technologies. Projects may include replacement or repower with all-electric technologies, as well as installation of electric refueling infrastructure.
Eligible applicants include individuals, corporations, and governmental entities authorized to conduct business in Texas and operating qualifying equipment in a designated TxVEMP priority area.
Applicants may receive up to 100% of the cost to adopt all-electric equipment, including charging infrastructure if applicable. Freight switcher projects must meet all technical and operational eligibility requirements as outlined in the revised program documents. Awards for freight switcher replacement and repower projects have a maximum cost per ton (CPT) of NOX reduced of $20,000.
Applications will now be accepted until 5:00 p.m. CT on August 31, 2026.
Click here for more information.
| | Open Call for Hydrogen Aircraft Technology Integration | | |
The European Commission is offering grant funding under Horizon Europe to support the integration, demonstration, and performance assessment of hydrogen-powered aircraft concepts. With a total funding allocation of €329.5 million (US $388.7 million), the initiative aims to advance sustainable aviation, validate hydrogen propulsion technologies at TRL4, and accelerate the development of future zero-emission and low-emission aircraft.
Deadline: May 19, 2026
Click here for more information.
| | African Development Bank's New Green Hydrogen Program | | |
The African Development Bank's Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has launched a Call for Proposals under its newly established Green Hydrogen Programme (GH), open to private sector entities developing green hydrogen and derivatives projects across Africa.
The Green Hydrogen programme, initially capitalised with funding from the German government and approved at the end of 2025, will provide pre-investment financing of up to $20 million for three to five top-ranked projects selected through the Call for Proposals, subject to due diligence.
Financing will typically be through reimbursable grants, for advisory services to contribute to progress towards the Final Investment Decision and/or financial close stages, for example, feasibility studies, engineering design to prepare for procurement, construction and transaction advisory services.
The application window opens on 10 April 2026 at 09:30 GMT. Proposals must be submitted through sefaafrica.org by May 11, 2026
Click here for more information.
| | Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program | | |
The Next NJ Manufacturing Program is a tax credit initiative designed to spur significant investment, create new manufacturing jobs, and solidify New Jersey’s manufacturing industry. By competitive, transferable tax incentives, NEXT NJ Manufacturing encourages companies to invest their capital in New Jersey while demonstrating a collaborative commitments to long-term growth within the state.
NJEDA is accepting applications until all funds are committed or March 1, 2029; whichever comes first.
Click here for more information.
| | Port of Long Beach Launches Hydrogen Fuel Grant Program | |
The Port of Long Beach is launching a Hydrogen Fuel Grant Program to support early adopters of hydrogen fuel cell drayage trucks and encouraging others to transition from using diesel trucks at the nation’s largest seaport complex.
Through the program, the Port is making up to $10 million available to eligible fleet operators to assist with the cost of hydrogen fuel. If all the funds are used, the program will result in at least 3.7 million zero-emissions miles for drayage services.
Click here for more information.
| | First Public Hydrogen Stationary Power & Microgrid System Integration Solutions | | |
First Public Hydrogen Authority (FPH2) is soliciting qualifications from firms with demonstrated expertise in the planning, design, integration, deployment, and maintenance of stationary power systems and microgrid solutions.
This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks to establish a pool of qualified partners that may be engaged for future projects under FPH2’s energy infrastructure initiatives.
The system's official close date for this solicitation will be set for December 1, 2027, purely for administrative purposes within the platform. However, submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, and firms are encouraged to submit their SOQ at any time prior to this date.
To participate in the solicitation process, your firm must register with PlanetBids. You must be a registered bidder for this solicitation to receive notifications of activities pertaining to the solicitation, such as addenda, awards, and cancellations.
Click here for more information.
| | Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project Incentives for Clean Trucks and Buses | |
On September 8, 2025, HVIP published Appendix H of the FY 24-25 IM, which details participation requirements for the 2025 Public Transit Bus Set-Aside (Transit Set-Aside).
As of September 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM PT, Standard HVIP is open to new voucher requests. Though Transit Set-Aside funds have been fully subscribed, HVIP will continue to allow Standard HVIP voucher requests for all Transit eligible applications. When transit vouchers are funded by Standard HVIP, due to fully subscribed Transit Set-Aside funds, these transit vouchers will adhere to the rules and requirements of Appendix H. The “Public Transit Bus Voucher” amounts in Table 4 of the IM are available to Appendix H-eligible voucher requests only.
Click here for more information.
| | $3.9 Million Is Available To Support Innovative Maritime Solutions To Transport Clean Hydrogen | | |
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced $3.9 million is now available to support the development of innovative maritime solutions to transport clean hydrogen in New York State. This funding advances new and retrofitted vessels as another option to deliver and distribute clean hydrogen.
The competitive Maritime Hydrogen Transport solicitation is offered through NYSERDA’s Advanced Fuels and Thermal Energy Storage Program, and Proposals will be accepted from eligible project teams composed of maritime or naval architects, shipyards and vessel operators in New York State. To qualify, these entities must partner with a clean hydrogen fuel supplier. This solicitation does not require that the proposed ship or vessel to be powered by hydrogen.
Preference will be given to proposing teams with experience designing, building and operating vessels that transport clean hydrogen or alternative fuels, or teams familiar with New York State waterways and marine ports. A minimum of an at least 50% cost-share is required from non-NYSERDA funding sources.
Click here for more information.
| | Zero-Emission Freight and Marine Statewide Grant Funding in California | | |
On August 22, the California Air Resources Board announced up to $20 million in funding is now available Statewide through the VW Zero-Emission Freight and Marine (ZEFM) program. This VW ZEFM solicitation incorporates the modifications to California's Beneficiary Mitigation Plan that were recently approved by the California Air Resources Board and has the following new features:
- Allows stacking with Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) and other state programs that don’t claim NOx emissions reductions
- Removed static funding caps for all project categories, including the funding cap for Airport Ground Support Equipment
- Includes a higher cost-effectiveness threshold (increased from $280,000 to $466,000 per ton of NOx reduced) that will be used as the primary factor in determining maximum funding
- Requires CARB’s pre-approval for projects with proposed award over $1 million
Funding is available for the following project categories:
- Heavy-lift forklifts (8,000 lb. lift capacity or greater) scrap and replace
- Airport ground support equipment scrap and replace
- Port cargo handling equipment (including terminal tractors) scrap and replace
- Ferries, tugboats, towboats repower, and
- Shore power system installation for ocean-going vessels not required or not yet required to use shore power while at berth.
Applications are being accepted and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted.
Click here for more information.
| | Statewide Funding for California Zero-Emission Class 8 Freight and Port Drayage Trucks |
Funding is now available from the California Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust for the Zero-Emission Class 8 Freight and Port Drayage Trucks category. This program will provide incentive funds on a first-come, first-served basis to truck owners operating in the state of California to replace Class 8 freight trucks, including drayage trucks, waste haulers, dump trucks, and concrete mixers, with zero-emission technologies approved by the California Air Resources Board and available for commercial use.
Click here for more information on the program.
| | Incentives for Off-Road Zero-Emission Equipment | |
The California Air Resources Board announced $125 million in funding incentives for its Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE). CORE helps offset the higher cost of zero-emission technology with a point-of-sale discount. There is no scrappage requirement, and additional funding is available for charging and fueling infrastructure and for equipment deployed in disadvantaged communities.
Click here for more information on the program.
| | 1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 1000, Washington D.C. 20036 | 202-355-9463 | | | | |
