Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloys, especially as newly formed, have often required high temperature (e.g., >700° C.) activation before the solids will absorb an amount of hydrogen normally storable by the composition. Now, such alloys may be activated by a low temperature (typically below zero degrees Celsius) soak in pressurized hydrogen followed by desorption of the hydrogen at a temperature above about 100° C. Such low temperature hydrogen absorption and higher temperature hydrogen desorption may be repeated a few times until the hydrogen storage alloy material readily absorbs and holds hydrogen for release on demand, and subsequent hydrogen refilling.