FirstElement Fuel announced that it has received a $7.7-MM grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to increase the company's Santa Ana, CA manufacturing facility output by more than 10 times. FEF, a California-based company, is the world leader in H₂ refueling solutions, operating the world's largest network of H₂ refueling stations comprised of 85 dispensers across 40 station locations and serving H₂-powered vehicles across California.

"The CEC is playing a huge role to transition the state of California, and the world, away from fossil fuels. It's truly an honor to continue our partnership with the CEC to make zero-emissions transportation a reality," said Joel Ewanick, Founder and Chief Executive officer of FEF.

FEF's manufacturing facility in Santa Ana currently produces critical high-tech components and systems for H₂ refueling stations, including liquid H₂ cryopump systems. The scale-up of the Santa Ana, CA FirstElement Fuel Innovation Center, partially funded by the CEC, will increase local jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enabling more zero-emissions transportation. FEF was awarded the grant through the CEC's Zero-Emission Transportation Manufacturing competitive grant solicitation. FEF will also contribute at least $14 MM to the project.

H₂-powered vehicles have the capacity to transform modern transportation by eliminating tailpipe emissions, slashing carbon emissions, and more than doubling driving efficiency as compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. California State government policy has for decades supported a transition to H₂ in the transportation sector as part of its zero-emission vehicle strategy, placing the state in a leadership position for H₂-related development.

California's policies have also laid the foundation for FEF's success in becoming the world's leading H₂ refueling station company. Setting up adequate supply chains and manufacturing of H₂ refueling station equipment to supply the development of a H₂ refueling network is critical to the successful scale-up of H₂-powered vehicles.

"FirstElement is a true California story—the company could not have been born anywhere else," said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor Newsom and Director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. "They are emblematic of California's role in creating new markets and expanding clean energy manufacturing, building on the foundation of our world-class workforce and ongoing commitment to a carbon-free economy."

Patty Monahan, the CEC lead Commissioner for the Clean Transportation Program, commented, "The CEC is proud to fund FirstElement Fuel's expansion into manufacturing H₂ refueling components here in California. This will not only provide jobs for the local community, but also help the state transition to zero-emission transportation."

"FirstElement's initiative will help grow jobs of the future here locally, which are exactly the kind of jobs that we want to see more of in Santa Ana," Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. "We are honored that FirstElement chose Santa Ana as its manufacturing location, and we will continue to foster a business-friendly environment in our city."

FEF's manufacturing expansion project will extend through March 2026 and enable FEF to increase by a factor of 10 the number of liquid H₂ pumps built per year. FEF will also increase its pump testing capability at its H₂ logistics hub and field-testing facility located in Livermore, CA as part of this project.