Fresno Approves Hydrogen Contract for New Buses. How Far is the Filling Station? [Video]

The city of Fresno will soon take possession of two hydrogen fuel cell buses, and on Thursday, the city council secured a power source for the vehicles.

By a 6-0 vote, the council approved a $3.5 million contract with H2B2 USA LLC, with the closest filling station in Kerman. Miguel Arias was absent from the vote.

The contract is for three years, with two one-year renewals. In essence, the city is buying $3.5 million worth of fuel for five years. Transportation director Gregory Barfield said fuel costs for the two buses would be $300,000 a year. The city expects to buy more hydrogen buses in the future.

Congressional candidate Michael Maher — who is also in the hydrogen fuel industry — called into the meeting via Zoom, questioning a no-bid contract. Transportation director Gregory Barfield explained that was not the case.

Three companies replied to a Request of Information — similar to a bidding process, but not …