While not eliminating its use, there will be less natural gas in California’s energy mix and potentially more hydrogen use if state regulators have their way.

Representatives from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Hydrogen Business Council (CHBC) and sustainable energy engineering firm Ricardo during a webinar Monday deconstructed California truck regulations that could be a boost for hydrogen fuel cell use.

CARB engineer Leslie Goodbody said the agency is predicting 30,000 zero-emission trucks on state roads by 2027, 100,000 by 2030 and 300,000 by 2035. Growth would be driven through the state’s advanced clean truck (ACT) rules to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The rules are expected to...