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Open Access Publications from the University of California

Scholarly Works (4 results)

  • Article
Research Reports (2025)

This paper reviews and analyzes the hydrogen-related targets and policies set for 2030 in California and the European Union, particularly related to the transportation sector. Both regions have strongly committed to decarbonizing transportation and transitioning toward clean energy sources, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology. We examine the projected hydrogen demand for light and heavy-duty vehicles, plans for hydrogen production and use, and infrastructure needed, such as refueling stations. We also review announced policy frameworks and strategies driving the transition to clean hydrogen energy in California and the EU. We also consider the impact of US-level policies on California and its hydrogen/fuel cell vehicle efforts. This paper reflects the situation in these jurisdictions as of December 2024. Potential changes in policy given the change in US administration in January of 2025 are not considered.

Our investigation finds that concerning vehicles, both jurisdictions have adopted an ambitious yet largely technology-neutral approach, allowing for the coexistence of battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles. However, each has some policies and targets specific to promoting fuel cell vehicles; support for developing hydrogen systems is also typically fuel-specific in both jurisdictions and includes regulations and incentives. The policies address challenges such as sourcing low-carbon hydrogen, achieving cost competitiveness, and meeting the growing demand for clean electricity. Additionally, based on the targets set by California and the EU for 2030 regarding light and heavy-duty vehicles, buses, and hydrogen refueling stations (HRS), on a per-capita basis, California demonstrates somewhat greater ambition in both vehicles and HRS than the EU, by 2030.

    Cover page: 2030 Hydrogen Goals in the Road Transportation Sector: A comparative analysis between the European Union and California
    • Article
    • Peer Reviewed
    UC Berkeley Previously Published Works (2020)
    People's subjective response to any thermal environment is commonly investigated by using rating scales describing the degree of thermal sensation, comfort, and acceptability. Subsequent analyses of results collected in this way rely on the assumption that specific distances between verbal anchors placed on the scale exist and that relationships between verbal anchors from different dimensions that are assessed (e.g. thermal sensation and comfort) do not change. Another inherent assumption is that such scales are independent of the context in which they are used (climate zone, season, etc.). Despite their use worldwide, there is indication that contextual differences influence the way the scales are perceived and therefore question the reliability of the scales’ interpretation. To address this issue, a large international collaborative questionnaire study was conducted in 26 countries, using 21 different languages, which led to a dataset of 8225 questionnaires. Results, analysed by means of robust statistical techniques, revealed that only a subset of the responses are in accordance with the mentioned assumptions. Significant differences appeared between groups of participants in their perception of the scales, both in relation to distances of the anchors and relationships between scales. It was also found that respondents’ interpretations of scales changed with contextual factors, such as climate, season, and language. These findings highlight the need to carefully consider context-dependent factors in interpreting and reporting results from thermal comfort studies or post-occupancy evaluations, as well as to revisit the use of rating scales and the analysis methods used in thermal comfort studies to improve their reliability.
      • Article
      • Peer Reviewed
      UC Berkeley Previously Published Works (2020)
      An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
        Cover page: Publisher Correction: The Scales Project, a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scalesCreative Commons 'BY' version 4.0 license
        • Article
        • Peer Reviewed
        UC Berkeley Previously Published Works (2019)
        Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants' interactions with components of the built environment such as adjustments of thermostats and/or opening windows and strongly related to the energy use in buildings. Understanding causes for thermal (dis-)comfort is crucial for design and operation of any type of building. The assessment of human thermal perception through rating scales, for example in post-occupancy studies, has been applied for several decades; however, long-existing assumptions related to these rating scales had been questioned by several researchers. The aim of this study was to gain deeper knowledge on contextual influences on the interpretation of thermal perception scales and their verbal anchors by survey participants. A questionnaire was designed and consequently applied in 21 language versions. These surveys were conducted in 57 cities in 30 countries resulting in a dataset containing responses from 8225 participants. The database offers potential for further analysis in the areas of building design and operation, psycho-physical relationships between human perception and the built environment, and linguistic analyses.
          Cover page: The Scales Project, a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scalesCreative Commons 'BY' version 4.0 license
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