Named H2USA, the project will bring key stakeholders in the hydrogen fuel cell industry, including carmakers, industry bodies, component manufacturers and hydrogen specialists, together to solve infrastructure challenges and leverage low cost natural gas resources. Regional divisions of Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Toyota have already joined the partnership.

The United States has recently started utilizing its shale gas resources to produce electricity, which has reduced the cost of producing hydrogen through electrolysis. Research and development supported by the DoE has already reduced fuel cell costs by 35% since 2008 and more than 80% since 2002, while doubling durability and cutting the use of expensive platinum parts by 80% since 2005.

David Danielson, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, said: ‘Fuel cell technologies are an important part of an all-of-the-above approach to diversify America's transportation sector, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase our competitiveness in the global market.

‘By bringing together key stakeholders from across the U.S. fuel cell and hydrogen industry, the H2USA partnership will help advance affordable fuel cell electric vehicles that save consumers money and give drivers more options.’