California has a goal to reduce greenhouse gasA gas in Earth's atmosphere that traps heat and can contribute to global warming. Carbon dioxide and methane are two GHGs. emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. This calls for a profound change in energy supply and other parts of the economy, including from utilities, industry, agriculture and transportation. It will require technological innovation; the process of inventing new products and approaches, bringing them to market and enabling them to become widely used. Fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fuel are well on the way to providing that innovation.

Fuel cell vehicles using hydrogen produced from natural gas reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 50%. When hydrogen comes from renewables, like solar electrolysis or biomass, the GHGs are zero.

The first step is to reduce the carbon intensityA measure of the amount of carbon contained in various energy forms. (units of carbon emitted per unit of energy) of California's passenger vehicle fuels by at least 10%. Government and industry are working on lower-carbon fuels and most efficient engines as short-term strategies. Research shows that to reach 1990 levels, we need to shift to fuel cell and battery electric vehicles. 

Transportation accounts for 38% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions and 96% of the vehicles in the state use petroleum-based fuels. FCVs are a crucial component in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and meeting California’s other goals for improving air quality and ending our dependence on petroleum.