The City of Akron, Ohio, is purchasing 15 golf carts fueled by compressed natural gas and 5 golf carts fueled by compressed hydrogen gas, manufactured by Hydrogen Energy Systems LLC (HES).

HES, an Akron Global Business Accelerator start-up company, developed proprietary technology that addresses the emissions from the small internal combustion engine. The technology, known as a Mixing Block, runs a small internal combustion engine on 100% hydrogen or natural gas. It transfers across engine sizes unlike a carburetor or fuel injection system, has fewer parts than a carburetor or fuel injector, costs less to manufacture, extends engine life, reduces maintenance costs, and produces low-to-no emissions, according to a City release.

As part of the agreement to purchase the golf carts, the Akron Development Corporation (ADC) will agree to use its best efforts in aiding HES in marketing and selling HES golf carts to potential purchasers. In return, HES will pay to the Akron Development Corporation a portion of the sale of every ADC marketed HES golf cart.