SoCal drivers finding long lines for hydrogen fuel amid supply chain issue

STUDIO CITY, LOS ANGELES () — Electric car owners aren’t worried about high gas prices, but they’re experiencing their own headache. Many of them are finding empty hydrogen tanks when they go to fill up.

A Chevron station in Studio City is one of the few places across Los Angeles that offers hydrogen fuel.

People like Christina Martinez from downtown L.A. drove 13 miles just to fill up her tank, and she wasn’t the only one going the distance.

Robert Cassidy from Woodland Hills was among the people who waited in line early Friday morning for several hours.

“I would say it’s been over three hours that we’ve been waiting. When we got here, there were like 20 cars in front of us, and they were just moving slowly,” he told Eyewitness News.

The slowdown dates back to earlier this year when the supply disruption began.

According to Fuel Cell Works, more than 60% of California’s hydrogen refueling stations are offline.

“It’s like a vehicle you pay for that you can’t use,” said driver Elana Lee. “I’ve been stranded a lot… like on the freeway.”

The issue is causing more consumer demand on a system that auto experts say was already strained.

“The fuel providers are beginning to see maybe it isn’t worth my investment,” said expert Brian Moody. “The tanks, the lines, the transportation-all of those things are a part of the cost of hydrogen.”

“I think it is a valid fuel source, but I think we have to rethink whether or not this is for the average consumer or maybe is something we need to invest in more so that more people can have access to it,” Moody added.

One incident that added to the supply disruption was the deadly hydrogen truck explosion in Colton back in February, according to CleanTechnica. A man was killed and another person was injured in that incident.

Delivery operations tied to the incident were paused during the investigation, which is still under review.

Hydrogen deliveries to stations are coming back online, but consumers may have to be patient.

While the supply chain disruption lingers, impacted drivers are encouraged to plan ahead. They can check their hydrogen station app to find a site offering the fuel.