The Show Me State is saying, “Show me the hydrogen!” The University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) has already received a couple of hydrogen-powered Ford E-450 shuttle buses and is using them to transport students around campus. They are currently using a portable hydrogen fueling station to refuel the shuttles.
Beginning next year, however, the hydrogen shuttle buses will also be used to transport soldiers from Fort Leonard Wood along a 55-mile stretch of Ozark roads. There are also plans underway to establish Missouri’s first permanent hydrogen fueling station at the UMR campus.
There has to be no doubt now that hydrogen is coming of age if a conservative state like Missouri is putting in a station. Now, if we can just get St. Louis and Kansas City to jump on board this would be a nice gateway to a hydrogen future. I envision one day a whole row of hydrogen cars lined up right underneath the St. Louis Arch. What a picture of progress this would make.