Abstract
Data were collected in surveys of four component populations. The purpose was to serve as a reference for designing a hydrogen education program and as a baseline for measuring changes in understanding and awareness over time. Comparisons of the baseline data with future results will be made when the survey is fielded again (2008 and 2011).
The methodology was successful in measuring knowledge levels and opinions of the target populations. Because the survey instruments were very similar, comparisons could be made among the target populations. These comparisons showed wide differences in knowledge levels between the government agencies and the other populations. General public, students, and potential large scale end user respondents had a general lack of knowledge about hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. There was a correlation between technical knowledge of hydrogen fuel cell technologies and opinions about the safe use of hydrogen. Respondents who demonstrated a greater understanding of the concepts of a hydrogen economy and hydrogen fuel cell technology expressed less fear about the safe use of hydrogen.