Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • November 12, 2018 • Hartford Business Journal 21 a dozen planned. Ole Hoefelmann, Americas vice president for the company's advanced business and technologies unit, said the station, and others, are key to growing hydrogen-car popularity in Connecticut. "This is important for communities to give them choice, to help build the future on hydrogen's role in the en- ergy transition," said Hoefelmann, who works in California and drives a Mirai. Though technically Air Liquide will be competing for business with Proton On- Site and the future New Haven facility, Hoefelmann is happy about the stations. "In the early years, it's about making sure you have enough stations, density and a reliable infrastructure for the market," he said. Air Liquide consulted with Toyota and other hydrogen-vehicle automak- ers to determine the sites for its four Northeast facilities. While no hydro- gen vehicles are being sold in the state yet, Hoefelmann seems comfortable with his company's undisclosed long- term investment. He said the California experience has given him confidence that hydro- gen vehicles can gain a broader mass appeal quicker than some may think. "That puts positive pressure on the infrastructure builders," he said. Steve Szymanski, director of busi- ness development at Proton OnSite, which built its fueling station in 2010 to test a small fleet of Toyota demonstration vehicles, said it's still pretty rare that a hydrogen car comes through the station, which was up- graded to commercial standards last year with the help of a state grant. He said he agrees that fleet purchas- es will be crucial to building demand, which is still very much in its infancy, even in California where the vast ma- jority of cars exist. "It's one of the things that has been a little bit of a struggle for station opera- tors in California," he said. "The cars are getting to market but (sales have been) slower than everybody had hoped." If there aren't enough cars, he added, fueling-station owners will struggle to make a return on their investments. Electric-car experience Electric cars continue to proliferate on Connecticut roadways, ramp- ing up since 2011, though there remains some doubt about whether Con- necticut will hit a goal of getting 125,000 electric vehicles regis- tered by 2025. There were 7,973 electric- battery/hybrid vehicles registered in the state as of Sept. 2018, state records show. While the current adoption pace may not cut it, Klee noted that sales have accelerated over the past year. For example, a year ago there were under 5,600 electric cars in the state. Auto dealers have largely embraced electric vehicles, though they've battled (successfully) in the legislature for the past four years with Tesla over the Cali- fornia clean-car maker's attempt to sell its vehicles directly to consumers, which is currently outlawed. James Fleming, president of the Connecticut Au- tomotive Retail- ers Association, said he believes hydrogen cars are the future. His dealership members want to sell fuel cell vehicles as soon as manufacturers are prepared to send them here. Even though Connecticut has just two fueling facilities right now, it's still more than most other states, he noted. "So three, four or five [stations] might be enough to get manufacturers to introduce them," Fleming said. "I'm very hopeful, because we have some infrastructure, and if we can add more, we'll see these vehicles introduced." TAX | ASSURANCE | BUSINESS ADVISING ACCELERATE YOUR PERFORMANCE ACCELERATE YOUR ACCELERATE YOUR PERFORMANCE ACCELERATE YOUR Behind every successful business is a partner propelling you forward. MahoneySabol combines the responsiveness of a local firm with the resources of a global one. So in a fast-paced world, you get the smart and timely insights you need to stay out ahead. 860.541.2000 | MAHONEYSABOL.COM Looking to create a custom publication? Let us take care of it for you. ADVERTISING@ HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM WWW.HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/ CUSTOMPUBLISHING 860.236.9998 Whether it's the celebration of a major anniversary or the opening of a new headquarters, Hartford Business Journal's Custom Publishing Division can help you create a custom magazine for your business. Our division's top fl ight team of writers and designers can help you tell your story – and make your business look great! Based on our unique publishing model, it's surprisingly affordable. CALL TODAY! Toyota Mirai hydrogen vehicle sales pace Jan.-Sept. Source: CarSalesBase.com 2016 2017 2018 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 Vehicles sold 710 1,044 1,155 An Air Liquide hydrogen fueling station.

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