Twelve hydrogen-powered cars made a pair of stops in the Southland today as part of a nine-day journey from Chula Vista to Vancouver aimed at highlighting the benefits of the alternative fuel.
The Hydrogen Road Tour began in Chula Vista on Monday and stopped today at the Santa Monica Pier, then at a West Los Angeles Shell station that features a hydrogen fueling station.
In West Los Angeles, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger toured the fueling facility, then touted efforts to make the state friendly for alternative-fueled vehicles.
"California set out to prove to the nation and world that low-carbon fuels and vehicles on our roads and highways are safe, affordable and viable," Schwarzenegger said. "This tour showcases what I envisioned five years ago when I launched the Hydrogen Highway.
"Our goal of a cleaner, greener and healthier California will require revolutionary new vehicle technologies and low-carbon fuels that will also spur the clean-tech economy."
According to the governor's office, there are 26 hydrogen fueling stations throughout the state being used by as many as 300 vehicles. Estimates by auto makers indicate that as many as 40,000 hydrogen cars could be on the road by 2017.
Among the vehicles being used in the Hydrogen Road Tour are a Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell, Mercedes F-Cell, Honda FCX Clarity, Hyundai FCEV, Kia Borrego FCEV, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota FCHV-adv Highlander and Volkswagen HyMotion.
