Energy Independence Now

What Energy Independence Now does

Energy Independence Now (EIN) is a California-based 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit founded in 2000 that advocates for the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and renewable hydrogen infrastructure. The organization operates under the legal name Energy Independence Now and runs the DriveH2 public service initiative as a sub-brand to channel awareness programming. EIN does not sell products or technology and instead generates revenue primarily through foundation grants (the most prominent disclosed funder is the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation) and individual donations processed via its GiveButter donation platform.

EIN's principal offerings are advocacy deliverables rather than commercial products: policy reports such as the Renewable Hydrogen Roadmap (co-developed with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and California Hydrogen Business Council) and the Electrifying Clean Vehicle Incentives report; programmatic vehicles including the Mirai Donation Program, the Mirai4All initiative (run with Valley CAN), and the Hydrogen Electric Showcase; and high-visibility cultural events such as the annual Green Pre-Oscar Gala (hosted with Global Green USA), the LA Fashion Week / Petersen Automotive Museum opening night gala, and demonstrations at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles in collaboration with Energy Observer. EIN's strategic positioning leans heavily on Toyota as an anchor vehicle-donation partner and on a board network that includes former CalEPA Secretary Terry Tamminen and retired CARB Chief Deputy Executive Officer Tom Cackette.

The organization is structured as a small team of 1-10 employees reporting to Executive Director Brian Goldstein (who also operates as CEO of DriveH2.org), with outreach and operations led by Deputy Director Liisa Kaufman and communications handled by Paul Williams. EIN's primary customer segments are California policymakers (CARB, CEC, state legislative offices) and the general public; its secondary beneficiaries are nonprofit organizations that receive donated Toyota Mirai vehicles to support healthcare, disaster response, and community service missions. The business model is nonprofit advocacy: monetization occurs via grants and donations, while "delivery" occurs via policy influence, earned media reach (a 2018 Pre-Oscar Gala generated 12.8 billion media impressions), and recurring programming that places FCEV technology in front of consumers and stakeholders.

Name

Energy Independence Now

Legal name

Energy Independence Now

Website

https://einow.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Energy Independence Now is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 that advocates for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and renewable hydrogen infrastructure through policy reports, vehicle donation programs, and high-visibility cultural events, primarily serving California policymakers and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Policy Advocacy

NAICS

Electric Power Generation (22111), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrogen Energy Storage & Power-to-X Equipment (electrolyzers, storage, fuel cell systems) (IMAGAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydrogen CHP (Fuel Cell & H2-Ready Turbines) (EUACAKAF), Hydrogen (Industrial & Mobility) (IMAEACAB)

Keywords

• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
• Renewable hydrogen infrastructure
• Clean transportation advocacy
• Environmental policy research
• Zero emission mobility

Headquarters

HQ city

Culver City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: EIN receives grants from environmental foundations to support their mission of advancing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and renewable hydrogen infrastructure. Major support includes the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation grant as part of their $20 million environmental grants announcement.
2. Donations: EIN accepts monetary donations from individuals to support their mission of bringing about transformation from fossil fuels to clean, zero-emission energy.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Energy Independence Now (EIN) is a California-based environmental nonprofit that advances hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) adoption and renewable hydrogen infrastructure through policy advocacy, research publications (Renewable Hydrogen Roadmap, Electrifying Clean Vehicle Incentives), public education campaigns (DriveH2), and vehicle donation programs that place Toyota Mirai FCEVs with mission-driven nonprofits.

Product overview

Energy Independence Now (EIN) is an environmental nonprofit organization, not a technology product company. EIN operates programs focused on advancing hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and renewable hydrogen infrastructure. Its main offerings include: DriveH2 (a public service initiative/awareness campaign), the Renewable Hydrogen Roadmap (a policy publication), Electrifying Clean Vehicle Incentives report, the Hydrogen Electric Showcase (educational in-person vehicle demonstrations), and the Mirai Donation Program. EIN does not offer a software product, platform, or SaaS service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DriveH2: A public service initiative by EIN committed to educating the world about the benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles through key partnerships, exciting campaigns, and community outreach.

Products and services

• Renewable Hydrogen Roadmap A comprehensive policy roadmap developed by EIN in collaboration with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and California Hydrogen Business Council, outlining key strategies to promote renewable hydrogen production to help California achieve its clean energy and clean transportation goals.
• Electrifying Clean Vehicle Incentives Report A policy report providing recommendations on how policymakers can accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles through consumer incentives, infrastructure investment, and streamlined incentive processes.
• DriveH2 Public Service Initiative

Quantifiable outcome

• EIN developed the initial framework for California's Hydrogen Highway and infrastructure models
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Via Care Community Health CenterscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 November 2022Via Care received a donated Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV from DriveH2.org. The vehicle enables the Via Care team to make critical patient visits and prescription deliveries to those with transportation challenges with zero toxic emissions.
• Los Angeles Fashion WeekflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2021DriveH2 announced a partnership with Los Angeles Fashion Week and Petersen Automotive Museum to co-host an opening night gala celebrating green fashion and the zero-emission movement in March 2022.
• AltaSea at the Port of Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2021EIN teamed up with AltaSea and Energy Observer to demonstrate zero-emission hydrogen-electric transportation solutions at the AltaSea campus adjacent to the Port of LA. AltaSea hosts DriveH2 events at their facility.
• American Red Cross Los Angeles RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2020DriveH2, in collaboration with Toyota, donated five Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles to the Red Cross blood services and disaster fleet. This marks the beginning of a zero-emission pilot program for the nonprofit.
• Toyota Motor CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerToyota supports DriveH2's vehicle donation programs by providing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles like the Toyota Mirai. The Mirai creates electricity by converting hydrogen in an advanced fuel cell, leaving water vapor as the only tailpipe emission.
• Petersen Automotive MuseumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Petersen Automotive Museum partnered with DriveH2 and LA Fashion Week for a sustainability-focused opening night event at the museum featuring zero-emission vehicles and an eco-fashion show.
• Energy ObservercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy Observer is the first hydrogen-powered, zero-emission vessel to be self-sufficient in energy. DriveH2 and AltaSea hosted Energy Observer at the Port of Los Angeles to showcase renewable hydrogen power applied to marine vessels, trucks, and consumer vehicles.
• Valley CAN (Clean Alternatives Now)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIN partnered with Valley CAN for the Mirai4All donation event that placed 27 donated Toyota Mirai Hydrogen EVs with individuals who are paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more equitable future.
• California Hydrogen Business CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIN collaborated with the California Hydrogen Business Council to release the Renewable Hydrogen Roadmap outlining key strategies to promote renewable hydrogen production for California.
• Cornerstone OnDemandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEIN partnered with Cornerstone OnDemand to stand up the Hydrogen Electric Showcase at their Santa Monica office, where employees could test-drive hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Club: Long-established U.S. environmental nonprofit with active electric mobility and clean transportation advocacy. Operates a similar donor-and-grant-funded advocacy model to EIN across a much wider environmental portfolio.
• Union of Concerned Scientists: Large national nonprofit combining scientific research with policy advocacy on climate, energy, and transportation. Comparable advocacy-driven nonprofit model, but with a much broader scientific and policy portfolio than EIN's hydrogen focus.
• Hydrogen Council: Global CEO-led hydrogen advocacy coalition with majors like Toyota, Hyundai, Shell, and BMW as members. Operates at a broader international scale than EIN, with comparable mission of accelerating hydrogen adoption across mobility and industry.

Direct peers

• Plug In America: National nonprofit advocating for plug-in electric vehicle adoption via policy, education, and events. Operates the same nonprofit advocacy and consumer-awareness model EIN uses for FCEVs, with a national rather than California-limited footprint.
• California Hydrogen Business Council: Trade association co-located in California that promotes hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for transportation and stationary applications. EIN has co-authored the Renewable Hydrogen Roadmap with this peer, making them direct collaborators in shaping California hydrogen policy.
• Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA): National trade association representing the fuel cell and hydrogen industry, with members across OEMs, utilities, and hydrogen producers. Directly comparable as the federal-level hydrogen advocacy counterpart to EIN's California-specific FCEV policy work.
• Veloz: California-based nonprofit focused on accelerating electric vehicle adoption through public education, policy advocacy, and consumer engagement. Closely comparable to EIN in mission, advocacy-only business model, California policy focus, and coalition-building approach, just oriented toward BEVs rather than FCEVs.

Others

• California Air Resources Board (CARB): State regulatory agency that EIN works with closely on FCEV incentive programs and zero-emission vehicle regulations. Listed as an OTHERS peer because it is a government regulator EIN influences, not a competing advocacy organization.
• Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation: Major environmental grantmaking foundation whose CEO (Terry Tamminen) sits on EIN's board and who awarded EIN a grant in 2017. Listed as OTHERS because it is a funder and ecosystem partner rather than a peer advocacy organization.

Regional players

• Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA): Nonprofit coalition of state clean energy agencies and programs supporting clean energy policy implementation across U.S. states. Comparable as a state-policy advocacy nonprofit active in clean transportation, though U.S.-wide rather than California-only.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/driveh2
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=kswCSEeZXnA
• Facebookfacebook.com/DriveH2
• Instagraminstagram.com/DriveH2
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/einow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Energy Independence Now