Investing in Alternative Fuel Infrastructure: Insights for California from Stakeholder Interviews

Increased interest in the use of alternative transportation fuels, such as natural gas, hydrogen, and electricity, is being driven by heightened concern about the climate impacts of gasoline and diesel emissions and dependence on finite oil resources. A key barrier to widespread adoption of low- and zero-emission passenger vehicles is the availability of refueling infrastructure. Recalling the “chicken and egg” conundrum, limited adoption of alternative fuel vehicles increases the perceived risk of investments in refueling infrastructure, while lack of refueling infrastructure inhibits vehicle adoption. In this paper, the authors present the results of a study of the perceived risks and barriers to investment in alternative fuels infrastructure, based on interviews with industry experts and stakeholders. The authors cover barriers to infrastructure development for three alternative fuels for passenger vehicles: compressed natural gas, hydrogen, and electricity. As an early-mover in zero emission passenger vehicles, California provides the early market experience necessary to map the alternative fuel infrastructure business space. Results and insights identified in this study can be used to inform investment decisions, formulate incentive programs, and guide deployment plans for alternative fueling infrastructure in the U.S. and elsewhere.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADC70 Standing Committee on Transportation Energy.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Melaina, Marc
  • Muratori, Matteo
  • McLaren, Joyce
  • Schwabe, Paul
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 96th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2017-1-8 to 2017-1-12
• Date: 2017

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 14p
• Monograph Title: TRB 96th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Compressed natural gas; Electric vehicle charging; Hydrogen fuels; Infrastructure; Investments; Refueling; Service stations; Stakeholders; Zero emission vehicles
• Geographic Terms: California
• Subject Areas: Energy; Finance; Highways; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01626765
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 17-05279
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 27 2017 9:26AM