California Fuel Cell Partnership Opens Headquarters Facility

    SACRAMENTO, Calif.--Nov. 1, 2000--The California Fuel Cell Partnership today officially opened the doors to its newly constructed fuel cell vehicle headquarters facility in West Sacramento. More than 400 attended the event.
    The ceremony featured the Partnership debut of seven automotive manufacturers' fuel cell electric vehicles -- the first time in history that these cars have been brought together. Fuel cell-powered buses were also demonstrated.
    The dramatic 55,000-square-foot facility, which houses fuel cell cars and a hydrogen fueling station, serves as an operations base for executing the Partnership's goals of demonstrating fuel cell vehicle technology, exploring an alternative fuel infrastructure, and increasing public awareness. The facility features a public gallery area with educational exhibits, fuel cell models, and an interactive kiosk.
    This unique Partnership comprises 18 member organizations from industry and government working together to advance fuel cell technology. Over the next few years, more than 50 fuel cell-powered cars will drive on California's diverse roadways in real-world conditions -- the largest concentration of fuel cell vehicles in the world. Twenty fuel cell buses will also be demonstrated in regular transit operations.
    The Partnership -- which formally began in April 1999 -- includes auto manufacturers (DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen); energy providers (BP, Shell, Texaco); fuel cell companies (Ballard Power Systems and International Fuel Cells); and government agencies (the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Transportation).
    The team also includes Associate Partners who assist with specific areas of expertise to help meet the Partnership's goals: hydrogen gas suppliers (Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Praxair); a methanol fuel supplier (Methanex); and bus transit companies (AC Transit, operating in the San Francisco Bay area, and SunLine Transit Agency (Palm Springs area).
    More information about the Partnership and the facility may be found on the organization's Web site: www.fuelcellpartnership.org.

    CA Fuel Cell Partnership -- Press Information
    Grand Opening -- November 1, 2000

    QUOTE SHEET: CALIFORNIA FUEL CELL PARTNERSHIP

    BP
    "BP is extremely proud to join our partners in an exciting new era of environmentally responsible and sustainable transportation. Together we are working to find the most efficient method of providing energy for the fuel cell vehicles, while meeting the needs of our customers in a safe and environmentally favorable way." -- Peter Histon, Senior Advisor, Transportation and Fuels

    BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS
    "This is the beginning of a revolution. The widespread use of fuel cell technology will have a positive impact on quality of life for generations to come. California is showing the world today that there are real solutions, such as fuel cell technology, to environmental problems that have plagued us for years. Ballard's fuel cell technology is enabling the development of superior products, from cars to portable generators, that will not harm our environment." -- Firoz Rasul, Chairman and CEO, Ballard Power Systems

    CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD
    "The facility in Sacramento is a physical manifestation of the cooperation that we're showing with the auto companies and the energy producers to get this technology on the road. It's a tremendously exciting event. This is the only type of partnership we have worldwide, and this is happening in Sacramento -- in California." -- Alan Lloyd, Ph.D., Chairman of the California Air Resources Board.

    DAIMLERCHRYSLER
    "DaimlerChrysler's involvement in the California Fuel Cell Partnership shows the company's commitment to continually improve automobile performance on all levels and to take a leadership position in new technologies such as fuel cells. I am convinced that the fuel cell technology will be the drive system for the future." -- Prof. Klaus-Dieter Vohringer, Research & Technology, Board of Management, DaimlerChrysler AG

    FORD
    "I believe fuel cells could end the 100-year reign of the internal combustion engine. In 25 years, fuel cells could be the predominate automotive power source. It will be a winning situation all around -- customers will get an efficient power source, communities will get zero emission transportation and automakers will get a major business opportunity." -- Bill Ford, Chairman, Ford Motor Company

    GM
    "GM continues to pioneer fundamental technologies that make a difference to society and the environment. Fuel cell technology is as important to our future as were the introduction of catalytic converters, on-board diagnostics and the electric drive propulsion system. These are just a few examples of where GM moved technology from the lab to the road. Even more, the fuel cell will revolutionize power generation; not just for automobiles, but for homes, businesses, and virtually every power need." -- Harry J. Pearce, GM Vice Chairman

    HONDA
    "Honda believes fuel cell vehicles have tremendous potential for the future and the Partnership shares a common goal of seeing that potential become reality. The Partnership will play a key role in educating the public on fuel cells and in helping to identify and develop the infrastructure to support fuel cell vehicles." -- Ben Knight, vice president of Honda Research and Development, Americas

    HYUNDAI
    "Hyundai Motor Company is committed to the long-term, leading-edge development of environmentally friendly vehicles. Fuel cell vehicles are as friendly to the environment as electric vehicles, have higher fuel economy than hybrid gas-electric vehicles, plus convenient fueling options at the level of conventional gasoline powered vehicles. Representing Korea, Hyundai is actively participating in the worldwide efforts to develop and commercialize fuel cell vehicles, the importance of which can be compared to the introduction of the internal combustion engine in the early 1900s." -- Chung Goo Lee, president of worldwide research and development for Hyundai Motor Company

    INTERNATIONAL FUEL CELLS
    "Having made fuel cells for space travel and commercial applications a reality, International Fuel Cells is proud to be a part of the California Fuel Cell Partnership's efforts to promote energy-efficient, environmentally friendly fuel cells for transportation applications." -- William Miller, president of IFC

    NISSAN
    "As part of our on-going research efforts and years of experience with alternative fuel vehicles, Nissan is pleased to become a part of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, and to help advance the cause of fuel cell vehicle awareness and potential commercialization, We look forward to working with our partners in the energy, automotive, fuel cell technology and government sectors, and finding a path to success for this exciting and environmentally beneficial technology." -- Debra Sanchez Fair, vice president, corporate communications, Nissan North America, Inc.

    SHELL
    "Shell, along with our energy partners, is committed to providing the fuel for the fuel cell vehicles that will best meet our customers' needs on a commercial basis. The fuel will be safe, efficient, economic and beneficial to the environment." -- Don Huberts, CEO, Shell Hydrogen.