Things You'll Need:
- Filling station license
-
Step 1
Plan your hydrogen filling station at a location near car dealerships selling hydrogen cars. The presence of a hydrogen car outlet demonstrates the growing demand for these vehicles, which ensures business for your station.
-
Step 2
Spend time researching the local, state and federal licensing requirements for filling stations. Duluth, Minnesota is emblematic of municipalities throughout the country in terms of financial and property planning requirements for filling stations (see Resources below).
-
Step 3
Mark out a significant portion of your property for storage and safety equipment to deal with hydrogen supplies. The tanks, tubes and precautionary equipment needed to meet safety and environmental regulations must be kept away from the filling area.
-
Step 4
Educate your station attendants on the intricacies of hydrogen-fueled cars before your station opens. This training session should feature an overview of hydrogen car technology as well as common problems encountered with hydrogen fuel cells.
-
Step 5
Solicit financial and public relations support from outside sources as you operate a hydrogen filling station. The limited number of hydrogen cars on the road makes the first few months of operation expensive for small business owners.
-
Step 6
Enhance your profit while operating a hydrogen filling station by adding a service department. You should hire a pair of mechanics familiar with hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles to add another service unavailable through other businesses.
-
Step 7
Recruit the assistance of local universities with strong natural science programs as you operate your hydrogen filling station. Your station can realize the benefits of experiments like the solar-powered hydrogen filling station created by the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (see Resources below).
