CHFCA Applauds British Columbia’s Leadership in Stimulating the Development of Clean Energy, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
November 7, 2011
Vancouver, BC – The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) today welcomed Canada’s first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle incentive program and progress towards Canada’s first retail hydrogen refuelling station, both initiatives recently announced by the Government of British Columbia as a part of its clean energy strategy.
The Government of BC’s announcement of point-of-sale rebates of up to $5,000 for purchasers of qualifying fuel cell electric vehicles, the first of its kind in Canada, is an important incentive in anticipation of the retail introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles in the 2015-2016 timeframe. Additional funding for British Columbia’s hydrogen infrastructure will contribute towards the establishment of retail-oriented, publically accessible hydrogen fueling stations.
“These two initiatives are further evidence of the strong commitment the Government of BC has made to supporting British Columbia’s world-leading hydrogen infrastructure, and the organizations involved in the province’s hydrogen and fuel cell sector,” said Eric Denhoff, President and CEO, CHFCA.
Ongoing provincial government support has helped establish the province as a leading jurisdiction in the development and deployment of clean energy, hydrogen fuel cell transportation solutions:
- BC Transit’s fleet of 20 hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses in Whistler is the largest deployment of its kind in the world;
- British Columbia is a recognized leader in the research, development and design of automotive fuel cell stacks thanks to Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation in Burnaby, a company that employs more than 200 people in clean jobs;
- The province was successful in attracting Mercedes-Benz to build a fuel cell manufacturing facility in Burnaby;
- The Government of BC recently announced support for the HTEC North Vancouver Hydrogen Liquefaction project that will supply made-in-B.C. clean hydrogen throughout the Pacific Northwest;
- The province is an important hub for research and engineering in hydrogen and fuel cell transportation applications, led by organizations such as Powertech Labs, the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation, SFU, UBC, BCIT and UVic;
- British Columbia has the largest number of hydrogen fuelling stations in Canada.
“These announcements by the Government of BC create tremendous momentum for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry,” said Mr. Denhoff. “We have world-class research and development at the NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation and UBC’s Clean Energy centre; world-leading manufacturing at Ballard and the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation; and a host of innovative small and medium enterprises supporting the research and development efforts in the province.”
British Columbia’s hydrogen and fuel cell industry exports hydrogen and fuel cell technology for use in materials handling, backup power at telecommunications sites, stationary power plants, transportation solutions and other applications.
For more information contact:
Javis Lui
Senior Manager, Industry Marketing and Communications
Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association
Email: jlui(at)chfca.ca
Phone: 604-283-1042
About the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA)
The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) is the national industry association for Canada’s world-recognized hydrogen and fuel cell sector. As the sector’s collective voice, the CHFCA works to raise awareness of the economic, environmental and social benefits of hydrogen and fuel cells.
We provide services and support to Canadian corporations, governments and educational institutions promoting, developing, demonstrating and deploying hydrogen and fuel cell products and services in Canada. Our members cover most types of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, components, systems supply and integration, fuelling systems, fuel storage, and engineering and financial services.