FutureFlight
Western U.S. Group Forms Alliance to Advance Hydrogen Propulsion
The new Western States Hydrogen Alliance is pushing for increased use of hydrogen fuel cells for multiple modes of transporation, including aviation.
HyPoint fuel cell
The Western States Hydrogen Alliance wants to expand the use of hydrogen fuel cells, like this unit developed by HyPoint. (Photo: HyPoint)

Advocates of hydrogen propulsion for multiple modes of transportation, including aircraft, this week established a new group to advocate for more rapid development and deployment of the technology in the western U.S. Founding members of the Western States Hydrogen Alliance (WSHA) include hydrogen technology pioneers such as storage specialist The Protium Company and Korean automotive group Hyundai, which in early 2020 confirmed plans to develop an eVTOL aircraft.

WSHA also wants to advance hydrogen fuel cell use for trucks, buses, trains, ships, and off-road vehicles. It intends to engage with state and federal government agencies to build an alliance of stakeholders, and the group has already received support from several members of Congress.