Hydrogen Infrastructure Deployment is Key Component to U.S. and Canada Having One Million Fuel Cell Vehicles by 2015, Says ABI

OYSTER BAY, N.Y.--Sept. 4, 2003--The total number of fuel cell vehicles in use by the general population is expected to reach one million, according to the latest fuel cell study by market research firm ABI. The vehicles will be in use in the top nine states in the U.S. and the top two provinces in Canada that are actively engaged in and supporting a hydrogen fueling infrastructure.

"For the deployment of hydrogen fuel cells, the issue has traditionally been 'chicken or the egg,' but this can be overcome by the active and dedicated involvement of all major stakeholders in the hydrogen fuel cell sector," explains Atakan Ozbek, ABI's Director of Energy Research. "In order to thrive, the entire hydrogen fueling infrastructure needs a strong definitive roadmap, as well as clearer signals, provided by the U.S. and Canadian Governments."

Building consensus and developing rational pathways towards a healthy hydrogen infrastructure will be the necessary groundwork needed across the world. However, that does not mean that all global markets are expected to create and maintain a uniform hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Political and social preferences, as well as technical and regional characteristics, will play a substantial role in building the long-term hydrogen infrastructure network.

"According to ABI's projections, California may need as many as 2,000 hydrogen fueling stations by 2015 to fuel fuel cell vehicles in the state," continues Ozbek. "The U.S. and Canadian federal and state governments must dictate clear financial incentives for the sector in general, so that early hydrogen fueling infrastructure can witness the transition from fleet vehicles to limited passenger cars in metropolitan areas by 2015."

It is difficult to predict how fuel cell vehicle penetration routes will take place amidst uncertainties surrounding the technology, codes and regulations, in addition to political intervention. Transitional pathways, which have long been considered an optimal strategy by some, are still rife with too many uncertainties to make them a possibility at the present time.

ABI's report quantifies the total amount of hydrogen production expected and the number of hydrogen fueling stations required for the North American market from 2005 to 2015. The study outlines a strategic business plan from energy and automotive companies, and also includes a discussion of regional utility companies, which could assume a critical role in defining tomorrow's hydrogen-based economy.

ABI's study, "Hydrogen Infrastructure: Business Models, Adoption Cycles, and Scenario Forecasts for the Development of Fuel Cell Markets in North America," details pathways for hydrogen production, distribution, and storage from 2005 to 2015 in major urban centers in the U.S. and in Canada. The study analyzes fuel cell vehicle adoption rates and essential infrastructure requirements for alternative routes, from capital investment to technological challenges. ABI details each major fuel source for hydrogen by delineating supply and demand, as well as price correlations. The projections for the most active states and provinces, broken down by metropolitan areas, are provided with realistic adoption rates to depict a clear picture for major stakeholders, which include federal, state and local governments and energy, auto, utility and fuel cell companies.

ABI is a N.Y.-based technology market research firm founded in 1990. ABI publishes market research and technology intelligence on the wireless, automotive, electronics, networking and energy industries. Details can be found on the web at abiresearch.com or by calling 516-624-3113.