Shell's Closure Deals Major Blow to California's Hydrogen Fueling Stations
Shell is closing all seven of its hydrogen fueling stations in California due to hydrogen supply complications and other external market factors, dealing a blow to the struggling hydrogen car market in the state. The closure is attributed to a shortage that has been disrupting stations since August 13, along with serious reliability issues and a lawsuit involving the core technology for hydrogen filling stations. This move raises further uncertainty about the future of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in the United States, as the technology has struggled to gain traction due to expensive fuel and infrastructure challenges. Shell's decision reflects the difficulties in justifying investments in light-duty hydrogen infrastructure, signaling broader challenges for the industry.