Automakers putting fuel cell test cars on road
Date: 29-Apr-04
Country: USA
Author: Michael Ellis
DaimlerChrysler AG (DCX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) (DCXGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) said it is planning to put up to 37 fuel cell cars in U.S. fleets as soon as this summer, while Ford Motor Co. (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research) plans to build up to 30 fuel cell cars late this year.
The Department of Energy announced this week plans to invest $350 million in science and research projects into hydrogen and fuel cells, which could cut the U.S. dependence on oil and offer a cleaner energy source.
Private investment will add another $225 million into research over the next five years, and help bring fuel cell vehicles closer to commercialization in five to 10 years, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham told a news conference in Detroit.
"Clearly the impact in terms of reducing our dependence on foreign oil, as well as improving the environment, make this program of the president's a top priority," Abraham said.
Hydrogen-powered fuel cells could sharply reduce, or even eliminate, many of the smog-forming emissions and greenhouse gases from the tailpipes of cars and trucks.
The U.S. government's $375 million commitment is the first phase of $1.2 billion in spending that President Bush has promised to bring fuel cells closer to reality for consumers.
DaimlerChrysler said that pending final negotiations with the government on funding, the German automaker is ready to put from 20 to 37 fuel cell vehicles into fleets in Michigan and California by this summer.
ROAD-WORTHY
The U.S. fleet is part of 60 fuel cell cars that DaimlerChrysler plans to test around the world, said Deborah Morrissett, DaimlerChrysler vice president of regulatory affairs and product development.
"We're building these fleets because testing these fuel cells in every day conditions ... is really critical to moving us towards commercialization of the technology," said Gerhard Schmidt, vice president of research and advanced engineering for Ford.
Ford plans to begin building up to 30 of its Ford Focus FCV fuel cell vehicle in the fourth quarter this year, pending negotiations with the Department of Energy and various state and local authorities on funding. The vehicles will be placed in fleets in Michigan, California and Florida.
In conjunction, oil company BP Plc (BP.L: Quote, Profile, Research) plans to build a network of hydrogen fueling stations to support the Ford fuel cell cars.
Japanese automakers Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research) , Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. (7201.T: Quote, Profile, Research) plan to put up to 65 fuel cell cars into a California fleet within five years, as part of the government initiative, the automakers said this week. German automaker BMW AG (BMWG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) plans to assign up to 15 cars that burn hydrogen in an internal combustion engine in the project.
"A true hydrogen economy is a long way off," said Jim Press, chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., which along with Honda has been the industry leader in selling cleaner gasoline-electric cars. "This project can help us address some of the many challenges we face in bringing hydrogen-based transportation closer to reality."
