Ohio Incentives and Laws for Hydrogen Fuel Cells

The list below contains summaries of all Ohio incentives and laws related to Hydrogen Fuel Cells.

State Incentives

Alternative Fuel and Fueling Infrastructure Grants

The Alternative Fuel Transportation Grant Program (Program) provides funding for up to 80% of the cost of purchasing and installing fueling facilities offering E85, fuel blends containing at least 20% biodiesel (B20), natural gas; liquefied petroleum gas or propane; hydrogen; electricity; or any fuel that the U.S. Department of Energy determines, by final rule, to be substantially not petroleum. The Program also provides funding for up to 80% of the incremental cost of purchasing and using alternative fuel for businesses, nonprofit organizations, public school systems, and local governments. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 122.075)

Fuel Cell Development Funding

The Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program (Program) aims to stimulate job creation in Ohio and position the state as a national leader in the fuel cell industry. The Program is an integral part of the Ohio Third Frontier, a technology-based economic development initiative designed to create jobs and bring new products to market. The Program offers grants and loans to support the growth of targeted areas of fuel cell technology, including: advanced materials related to advanced polymers, ceramics, composites, carbon fibers and nanotubes, and specialty metals and alloys; aero-propulsion power management; fuel cells and energy storage; and sensing and automation technologies.

Laws and Regulations

Alternative Fuel Signage

The Ohio Turnpike Commission allows businesses to place their logos on directional signs within the right-of-way of state turnpikes. An alternative fuel retailer may include a marking or symbol within their logo indicating that it sells one or more types of alternative fuel. Alternative fuels are defined as E85, fuel blends containing at least 20% biodiesel (B20), natural gas, propane, or hydrogen. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 125.831 and 5537.30)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition and Fuel Use Requirements

With the exception of law enforcement vehicles, all newly acquired state agency vehicles must be capable of using an alternative fuel and must use the relevant alternative fuel if it is reasonably priced and available. Alternative fuel is defined as E85, fuel blends containing at least 20% biodiesel (B20), natural gas, propane, hydrogen, electricity, or any other fuel that the U.S. Department of Energy has determined is substantially not petroleum and would yield substantial energy use and environmental benefits. The Department of Administrative Services issues credits for vehicle acquisition in accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Any additional credits that an agency earns above their requirements may be sold, with proceeds going to the Ohio Biodiesel Revolving Fund to pay for the incremental cost of biodiesel for use in vehicles the state owns or leases. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 125.831-125.832, 125.834 and 125.836 and Executive Order 2007-02)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion

Vehicle emissions control systems may not be tampered with unless the action is for the purpose of converting a motor vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel and is in compliance with the standards adopted under the Clean Air Act Amendments. (Reference Ohio Revised Code 3704.16-3704.162)

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