Colorado to Have America’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Tow Truck Fleet
As part of the agreement with New Day Hydrogen (NDH), AAA Colorado plans to America's first hydrogen-powered tow trucks and other emergency rescue vehicles in Colorado
On 31st August 2021, American Automobile Association (AAA) Colorado, largest not-for-profit organization in the state, announced that it has joined with New Day Hydrogen (NDH) to lead the way in bringing hydrogen-powered trucks and consumer vehicles to Colorado.
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are zero emission vehicles like battery-electric vehicles (EVs). FCEVs only take few minutes to fuel up as they run mostly on hydrogen, unlike EVs that takes hours to charge the battery. FCEVs are also largely unaffected by cold temperatures, and can scale efficiently - allowing for both consumer trucks and heavy-duty vehicles, such as tow trucks.
New Day Hydrogen's Chief Executive Officer Seth Terry said, “Adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology will help Colorado reach its carbon-reduction goals, as fuel cell electric vehicles offer vehicle owners the same performance and experience as their current vehicle with no lost time to charging, and no range anxiety."
As part of the agreement with New Day Hydrogen (NDH), AAA Colorado plans to America's first hydrogen-powered tow trucks and other emergency rescue vehicles in Colorado. New Day Hydrogen will provide the fuel to support these vehicles by designing and constructing stations to create hydrogen fueling by electrolysis, a process that creates emissions-free hydrogen from water and renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.
Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA said, “As the organization that popularized the automobile more than a century ago, AAA has an unmatched record of leading the charge for new transportation technology. In working to roll out America's first hydrogen-powered emergency rescue fleet, we're confident we can fundamentally change the mobility landscape yet again as we address climate change by increasing consumer choice. Long a center of environmental innovation, Colorado's the perfect place to start."
Major automotive manufacturers - such as Toyota, Hyundai, General Motors, Ford, among others - already have hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the market or are working to develop these transportation options in America and internationally. In California, for example, there are already more than 8,000 FCEVs on the road.
Transportation is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants in Colorado and across the country. Hydrogen infrastructure will play a critical role in reducing those emissions, especially in Colorado and Hydrogen fuel stations can open up to other fleet users and the general public - paving the way for FCEV adoption among Coloradans.
