Nikkiso opens hydrogen refuelling station for California bus operator

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases (CE&IG) has opened a new liquid hydrogen refuelling station in Thousand Palms, California, with bus operator SunLine Transit Agency.

The station will provide hydrogen to SunLine’s bus fleet in the Coachella Valley region on a 24/7 basis, with dispensing available at both 350 and 700 bar.

SunLine, which current has 32 hydrogen fuel cell buses in its fleet, has been introducing zero-emissions vehicles since 1992, and currently uses a mix of CNG, electric and fuel cell buses in its operations.

Read more: SunLine Transit Agency: Driving a hydrogen-fuelled future

With plans to introduce more hydrogen vehicles in the near future, Mona Babauta, CEO/General Manager at SunLine, said, the new station was a “significant milestone” in the operators journey to convert its “entire fleet to hydrogen fuel cell buses.”

The Nikkiso hydrogen station comes in addition to a CNG offering also installed in Thousand Palms a few years ago, according to Nikkiso CE&IG Fueling and Solutions President, Mike Mackey.

“Through that project we forged a strong relationship that led to the opportunity of delivering SunLine’s new hydrogen station. We look forward to working together for years to come as they fully transition to a zero-emissions fleet,” he said.

Nikkiso said SunLine plans to open a third public hydroge refuelling unit in the “next few weeks” located between Los Angeles and Phoenix to support long-distance routes for cars, trucks and buses.

“Partnering with SunLine Transit Agency supports critical infrastructure needed in California to advance the hydrogen economy,” added Adrian Ridge, President and CEO of Nikkiso CE&IG.