Really Big News:Nissan Announces Real Life Fuel Cell Introductions In Reuters Story

Nissan to have fuel cell vehicle technology by 2005 

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     TOKYO, Oct 23 Reuters reported that the Nissan Motor Co, Japan's second largest automaker, said on Tuesday it expected to have the technology for fuel cell vehicle production by 2005. 
     
     Nissan, in the midst of a dramatic restructuring, has lagged in the development of fuel cell technology, although it and partner Renault SA have said they will invest 85 billion yen ($695 million) over five years in such research. 

     Fuel cells are widely seen to be the most promising alternative energy development, particularly for vehicles, in the coming decades. 

     Although many other major automakers have said they plan to develop a fuel cell vehicle for the market by 2003 or 2004, the new technology is not expected to become a viable alternative for mass-production until at least after 2010. 

     Fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity by mixing hydrogen and oxygen with water the only byproduct. 

     Ghosn said it would take a decade to start mass producing fuel-cell vehicles until they are priced reasonably and profitable at the same time. 

     "We are not in the race for size. We are in the race for profitability," he told a news conference as part of a preview for the Tokyo Motor Show which begins on Wednesday. 

     He added Nissan would participate in the Japanese government's testing programme for fuel-cell vehicles to begin in 2002. 

     Nissan also said it would expand the use of ultra-low emission vehicle technology in up to 80 percent of its cars by the end of its three-year restructuring plan in March 2003. 

     Japan's second-largest carmaker said 11 of the 15 new models will be using the "U-LEV" technology, where exhaust emissions are reduced to 75 percent or more below levels mandated under the nation's exhaust regulations of 2000. 

     "The majority of our cars will be U-LEV equipped by the end of next business year," he said.