Summary

This six-part study involves the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways (PATH), Institute of Transportation Studies at Berkeley, and Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc. The study's purpose is to understand the processes involved in operating hybrid fuel cell electric vehicles in a fleet setting, including supporting a fueling infrastructure.

The study will use Mercedes-Benz's "F-Cell" vehicle, a hybrid fuel electric vehicle with a hybridized fuel cell, battery power system coupled with an electronic motor/power controller propulsion system.

The six parts of this project include: first, a review of literature on hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell vehicle customer acceptance/response. Second, "ride-n'-drive" clinics will be operated in Richmond and Sacramento, California with approximately 100 participants at each site. Third, a Caltrans focus group and a PATH focus group will be arranged to assess the response to hydrogen cars and infrastructure. Fourth, two more focus groups will be arranged with carsharing participants. Fifth, a plan for a next phase "pilot program" is developed. Sixth, a final report is published.

Related PATH Articles/Journals

Elliot Martin and Susan Shaheen (2007). "Dynamics in Behavioral Response to a Fuel Cell Vehicle Fleet and Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure," Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting