Electrify Route 66 Powering the Iconic American Road Trip
GTL Leasing is driving the evolution of the Mother Road, ensuring the freedom and mobility of Route 66 are available to the next generation of clean energy travelers.
Route 66 has always represented the pioneering spirit of American transportation—from the migration of the Dust Bowl era to the booming leisure travel of the 1950s. Today, that legacy of progress continues. GTL is championing the Electrify Route 66 initiative to ensure this historic 2,400-mile corridor becomes a showcase for clean energy transport, supporting travelers with reliable EV charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure across all eight states. We are here to provide the essential assets that turn this historic dream into a modern reality.
A Legacy of Progress
Route 66 was a vital artery that connected rural communities and fueled local economies across the Midwest and West. Its designation in 1926 was a commitment to the future of transportation. Now, as the Mother Road approaches its centennial, the challenge is clear: how do we honor its past while powering its future?
Our initiative supports the development and deployment of flexible infrastructure—from quick-deploy EV charging units to hydrogen fueling solutions—that meets the needs of modern clean fleets and road-trippers alike. We're keeping the spirit of the open road alive, powered by sustainable energy.
Partnership Profiles: The Route 66 Road Crew
To celebrate the journey and the innovation required to complete it, GTL is featuring partners who are driving change. Each partner curates a personalized road trip playlist—fueling your mind while we fuel your ride.
Meet Our Guest DJ Partners
Partner Playlists
Guest DJ
Dr. David Blekhman
WHO IS DR. DAVID BLEKHMAN?
I am Dr. David Blekhman, Professor of Sustainable Energy and Transportation at Cal State LA and the founding Technical Director of the Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility. My work focuses on hydrogen technology, clean transportation, sustainable energy systems, and workforce development. I earned my BS and MS degrees in Thermal Physics and Engineering from Saint Petersburg State Polytechnical University in Russia and my PhD in Mechanical Engineering from SUNY Buffalo.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to receive recognition including the 2025 Cal State LA President’s Distinguished Professor award, the 2023 CSU-wide Wang Family Excellence Award for Outstanding Scholarship, the 2022 Cal State LA Outstanding Professor Award, and the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Alternative Energy Technology at Chalmers University in Sweden. I have secured multimillion-dollar funding from organizations like NSF, DOE, DOT-FHWA, SCAQMD, LAEDC, CEC and many others supporting hydrogen infrastructure and advanced transportation projects as well as workforce development.
WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY?
As a graduate student instructor at SUNY Buffalo, I was already focused on becoming a professor, but I was wandering how to best apply my training in thermal-fluid sciences in that career path. While teaching an advanced thermodynamics course on energy systems, I began supplementing traditional fossil-fuel energy cycles with emerging clean energy technologies such as fuel cells, wind, and photovoltaics. That experience sparked my interest in clean energy, and clean transportation became a natural extension of that path.
Over time, those early topics grew into the courses, research projects, and student opportunities that have shaped much of my career. Clean technologies continue to evolve rapidly, expanding into batteries, autonomous vehicles, microgrids, data centers, and beyond. Energy and resource challenges also extend far beyond technology; they influence society, policy, economics, and create conflicts. What continues to motivate me is the belief that real-world clean energy projects can offer practical opportunities to find solutions while preparing students for the exciting jobs of the future.
ABOUT CAL STATE LA
How does Cal State LA support the clean energy landscape?
I joined Cal State LA almost 20 years ago, in 2007, and it has been both a thrill ride and an extraordinary opportunity to further shape and grow my passion for clean energy and transportation.
First, Cal State LA offers an outstanding and unique Sustainable Energy and Transportation curriculum, with specialized courses in fuel cells, photovoltaics, engine design, data acquisition, and zero-emission vehicles. These courses give students direct exposure to the technologies that are transforming the clean energy and advanced transportation sectors.
We have also built a world-class Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility that produces its own hydrogen through electrolysis and has been operating for more than a decade. Built in 2011, the Hydrogen Station has been a special jewel in California’s hydrogen network because it generates hydrogen on site rather than relying on a delivery model. It enabled groundbreaking work, including becoming the first facility in the world to sell hydrogen by the kilogram after certification of the dispenser. It also hosted the early development and testing of the HyStEP device, which is now used to commission new hydrogen stations.
Beyond hydrogen, I was instrumental in helping build photovoltaic installations and EV charging infrastructure on campus. I also served for seven years as the lead advisor for the EcoCAR 2 and EcoCAR 3 teams. We are continuing this work through the Battery Workforce Challenge from 2023 to 2026 and the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge from 2026 to 2030. I am especially happy to work alongside the next generation of faculty leading these premier North American competitions, which serve as a clean automotive talent pipeline and help elevate our students into exciting careers at GM, Stellantis, and throughout Southern California’s innovation economy.
The Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility has also supported international research collaborations, producing multiple publications on station performance and operations with visiting researchers. Most importantly, all of these efforts—hydrogen, solar, EV charging, advanced vehicle competitions, and workforce training—come together as a “Living Labs” environment for our sustainable energy curriculum.
I am thrilled to see my students stepping into the jobs of the future: planning solar parks, designing clean cars, and operating hydrogen stations. Their learning journey has been deeply enriched by our campus’s early embrace of green technologies and sustainability leadership.
Partnership Profiles: The Route 66 Road Crew
Partner Playlists
Guest DJ
Lindsay Rheiner
WHO IS LINDSAY RHEINER?
I’m an outdoor enthusiast and marathon runner turned triathlete who’s usually on the go and values time with those closest to me. I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned as a Marine Corps Logistics Officer. My assignments on active duty included Camp Lejeune, NC and Quantico, VA, where I led Marines at a Tank Battalion in operations and maintenance roles and trained Officer Candidates, respectively.
In 2021, I joined the USMC Reserves and Independence Hydrogen as an Operations Manager as Employee #4 at the time. I took on a range of cross-functional responsibilities, including helping build our first hydrogen waste gas recycling plant in Virginia. Since commissioning it in 2023, I’ve focused on plant operations, transportation, and business development – working to connect strategic plans with safe, reliable execution for both new and anchor customers. I love being at the point of impact!
WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY?
I’m motivated by the idea of helping people and communities meet their most basic needs – essentially the base of Maslow’s Hierarchy. However, clean energy goes a step further by also protecting the environments we live in. That combination is what drives me.
I’m especially passionate about hydrogen because we need a full mix of solutions on the table. Wind, solar, and batteries are critical, but they’re not enough on their own to meet the scale and urgency of the challenge. Over the past five years in the industry, I’ve seen firsthand how complex adoption can be, which has only strengthened my motivation to help make it work within my “sphere of influence.”
ABOUT INDEPENDENCE HYDROGEN (“IH”)
How does Independence Hydrogen (“IH”) support the clean energy landscape?
IH supports the clean energy landscape through a decentralized hydrogen (DeHY) model focused on local production and distribution. This approach improves supply redundancy, lowers costs and emissions, and strengthens overall energy resilience.
At our core, we’re an energy company grounded in the values of Safety, Integrity, and Leadership. We work closely with customers to understand their needs and constraints, then deliver practical and tailored solutions. That often means integrating with other technologies or partners (e.g., we are not a fuel cell provider) to ensure we deliver the most effective and reliable outcomes.
How does GTL play a part in Independence Hydrogen's work?
GTL plays an important role in IH’s work, starting with the people. Their industry expertise and network help connect suppliers like IH with end users and align the right solutions.
On the equipment side, GTL’s midstream offerings expand our ability to serve a wider range of applications – from mobility (forklifts, buses, trucks) to backup power and mobile compression. They’ve also supplemented our fleet with high-pressure, high-volume hydrogen tube trailers, giving us more flexibility and capacity to meet customer demand.
Partnership Profiles: The Route 66 Road Crew
Partner Playlists
Guest DJ
Ghassan Sleiman
WHO IS GHASSAN SLEIMAN?
I’ve spent more than 20 years in hydrogen, not just studying it—but building it. From early-stage technology to full-scale infrastructure, I’ve worked across the entire value chain and contributed to over 70 hydrogen projects globally, including more than 60 refueling stations.
My career has been defined by one thing: taking concepts that look good on paper and making them work in the real world—reliably, safely, and at scale. That transition—from theory to execution—is where most things fail. It’s also where I’ve focused my career.
At FirstElement Fuel, I’ve helped build and operate what is now the largest retail hydrogen refueling network in the world, operating under the brand True Zero. That didn’t happen by accident. It took relentless iteration, operational discipline, and a willingness to solve problems others walked away from. That’s the work I take pride in.
WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY?
Since a young age, I’ve been fascinated by energy, specifically the idea of transfer. How do you take something unusable and convert it into something valuable? That question stayed with me early on and naturally pulled me toward engineering and problem solving.
When I was first introduced to hydrogen, it was not part of some grand plan. It happened almost by accident. Over time, I realized it aligned perfectly with that early curiosity. Hydrogen, at its core, is an energy carrier. It allows you to take energy in one form, store it, move it, and use it somewhere else efficiently. That concept resonated with me in a way that felt very natural.
But belief in hydrogen is not enough. This industry does not need more optimism. It needs execution. It needs systems that perform under real world conditions, consistently and reliably.
What drives me is closing that gap. Taking something that works in theory and making it work every day. Turning energy into infrastructure. Because when these systems operate at scale, that is when decarbonization stops being a goal and starts becoming reality.
ABOUT FIRST ELEMENT
How does First Element support the clean energy landscape?
FirstElement isn’t just participating in the hydrogen economy, we’re enabling it.
We operate the largest retail hydrogen fueling network in California, serving the majority of fuel cell vehicles on the road. More importantly, we’ve built the operational backbone behind that network through engineering, manufacturing, and field execution capabilities that allow us to continuously improve performance and reliability. We are also excited about our collaboration with Bosch in creating the next generation of equipment that will truly enable the hydrogen mobility ecosystem.
In a market that is still developing, consistency matters more than anything. Customers don’t adopt energy, they adopt trust. Our role is to make hydrogen dependable enough that it becomes invisible, just another fuel that works every time.
That’s how you scale an energy transition, not with announcements, but with performance.
How does First Element support the clean energy landscape?
GTL supports FirstElement Fuel through both equipment leasing and financing, helping us manage the capital intensity of building and operating hydrogen infrastructure. Beyond that, GTL brings unique technology capabilities that we are actively exploring, such as their boil-off gas compression solutions. This is not widely available in the market today, and it represents a meaningful opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce losses as the industry evolves.
GTL is also a customer of ours, procuring hydrogen from our Livermore plant and, at times, from our retail stations. That dual role as both partner and customer creates a strong alignment between operational needs and technology development.
As the hydrogen economy continues to mature, companies like GTL play an important role. They bring the agility needed to shape emerging technologies while also providing the financial support required to scale infrastructure. That combination is critical as we move toward a future where hydrogen becomes as common and accessible as gasoline.
Partnership Profiles: The Route 66 Road Crew
Guest DJ
Dr. Mike McDonald
A LITTLE ABOUT DR. MIKE MCDONALD
I’ve been in the transportation and vehicle manufacturing space for 9 years, all with NFI companies. I was brought in to advise on battery technology and electrification on multiple fronts of the business; firstly, in the development of MCI’s coach electrification program. Following, for the last 5 years, I have been the manager of the NFI Vehicle Innovation where we talk and do all things zero-emission – from holding training and educational events on bus technology, holding technology provider reviews and benchmarking, and organizing our zero-emission bus demo program.
WHAT MAKES YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY?
I have been an enthusiast for all things energy and future technology for as long as I can remember! I’ve always been fascinated by the underappreciated role that energy and the technology that delivers it to us has in our every day lives and how it makes us the modern and advance society we get to enjoy today. I’ve always been curious about the details and inner workings of it all, so much so that I pursed degrees in chemistry with a focus on materials and electrochemistry – the studies where we can understand what underpins all this stuff, down to atoms and molecules. Revolutionizing how we get our energy and how it powers our everyday lives is incredibly important in all facets – including and especially initiatives like Electrify Route 66!
ABOUT THE COMPANY
How Do NFI Companies Support The Clean Energy Transition?
NFI companies – especially New Flyer – are leading the way in lowering emissions in transit and mass transportation vehicles. From electric trolley buses since the late 60s to pioneering hybrid, CNG, and progressively cleaner diesel generation over generation, to today, mass producing battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-electric zero-emission buses. We know not all systems are the same and so offering a diverse toolkit of propulsion allows our partners to pursue whatever Route they desire and build their own Road To Zero!
WHY JACK IS PASSIONATE ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY
There is a legitimate, very real, need to reduce emissions form vehicles, industry, etc. It shouldn't be a political or an "us vs them" question - but a practical and pragmatic realization that the impacts of air pollution have huge societal impacts and the costs associated with those impacts are huge. Healthcare costs, O&M costs, etc are all better dealt with in cleaner environments. Clean/alternative energy , in all its current forms, helps us make progress NOW. We cannot afford to wait for things to be perfect - we need to act now.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
How Does PASHA Group Support The Clean Energy Transition?
Pasha is taking a leading role by designing and building a fleet of LNG powered ships to serve the Hawaiian Islands from California. This has dramatically reduced the emissions from shipping the goods that the people of Hawaii need for their everyday lives while lowering the impacts on the communities in and around those shipping terminals at the ports.
How it works with GTL
GTL provides the equipment necessary to support various fueling requirements for alternative fuels in the Port complex. For example, a Pasha company fuels the Hydrogen powered Sea Change Ferry operating in the San Francisco Bay. We move gaseous H2 to the dock and fuel the vessel directly from the trailer. The high pressure gas carried in the trailer allow for a scheduled turnaround that meets the operational needs of the Sea Change while the smaller size allows for a lightweight and manueeverable piece of equipment appropriate for use on the wharf.
Guest DJ
Jack Hedge
Guest DJ
Cameron Kasper
ABOUT CAMERON
I became passionate about the intersection of technology, mobility, and design that truly serves people. One phrase that stuck with me came from Burt Swersey: “Don’t do nonsense.” It’s a call to innovate with purpose—creating solutions that genuinely improve lives and communities. That’s why I’ve long been drawn to the hydrogen industry. It’s a space filled with visionaries who remain undeterred by shifting policies, infrastructure challenges, or technological hurdles. I believe this inspiring community is poised to transform the world through zero-emission solutions—whether in stationary power, mobility, aviation, or beyond. I feel incredibly fortunate to represent the Nuvera brand within Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.—a company with a rich legacy of innovation and leadership in hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
1-2 Key benefits of HydroCharge™
HydroCharge™ delivers instantly deployable, zero-emission power—no grid connection required, no lengthy recharge times, and no compromises.
HydroCharge™ offers on-demand, portable power infrastructure with unmatched flexibility. Delivering up to 50kW across 480V 3-phase wye, 208V 3-phase, 120V & 240V single-phase, plus an integrated DC fast charger, it enables you to deploy virtually any power configuration—anywhere, anytime—without special licensing or permitting delays.
How it works with GTL
HydroCharge™ integrates seamlessly with GTL Leasing’s fleet of hydrogen storage trailers. Whether you need mobile refueling or uninterrupted operation by directly connecting storage to the system, our partnership ensures continuous, around-the-clock power—without delays or downtime.
Your Soundtrack for the Mother Road
Every great road trip needs a legendary soundtrack. Get your kicks on Route 66 with GTL's curated playlists, featuring the classic music and new tunes that embody the spirit of the American highway.
Neon & Chrome: The 50s & 60s Cruiser
Roll down the windows and flash back to the golden age of Route 66. Classic rock & roll, doo-wop, and early soul that makes every mile feel like a movie.
The Mother Road Pioneers
From early blues and jazz to the dawn of electric rock, these tracks capture the gritty, groundbreaking spirit of the highway's first travelers and legendary music hotspots.
Desert Dream Pop & Sun-Drenched Chill
Ethereal vocals, smooth synths, and spacious compositions perfect for cruising through New Mexico's wide-open landscapes and watching the sunset.
80s Pavement Pounders
High-energy synth lines, driving drum machines, and catchy hooks to keep you awake and accelerating through the long stretches of the plains and desert.
Truck Stops & Tall Tales
The heartland sound of classic and contemporary country. Songs about the open highway, heartbreak, and the simple life found between the coasts.
High Desert Rock & Psychedelic Groove
Gritty, blues-infused rock and hypnotic tracks built for the long haul through Southern California's rugged terrain and endless horizons.
The High Lonesome & Modern Folk
Acoustic excellence and tight harmonies that fuse traditional roots with modern indie sensibilities. Perfect for passing through small towns and mountainous areas.
Stardust on the Street
Flamboyant, theatrical rock that embraces maximalism and showmanship. Get loud, grab the mic (your steering wheel), and make a statement on the road.
Woodstock Wonders & Hippie Soul
Free-flowing jams, psychedelic rock, and folk anthems of the late 60s and early 70s. For a laid-back, peace-and-love cruise across state lines.
From LA to Chi: Rhymes on the Road
Tracks that celebrate car culture, journey, and aspiration. A modern soundtrack for an evolving America, connecting the classic endpoints of Route 66.
Minimalist Art Rock & Polyrhythmic Drive
Complex, pulsing rhythms and atmospheric soundscapes. The deep, trance-like groove for when you want the road to feel like a moving meditation.
90s Grunge & Modern Edge
The best of 90s alternative rock and the artists they inspired. Raw energy and powerful melodies for those moments when you need a sonic boost.
Chart-Topping Cruising Fuel
The biggest, brightest hits from every decade—designed to be universally loved and easily sung along to. Pure, unadulterated road trip fun.
ELECTRIFY ROUTE 66
Join the Movement
The Electrify Route 66 initiative is not just about equipment; it’s about a community committed to a cleaner future. Whether you are a business along the route, a technology developer, or a fellow traveler, we invite you to join the journey.