Maryland To Lease GM Fuel Cell Vehicle

ANNAPOLIS, MD September 8, 2004; Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., announced plans to lease Maryland's first fuel cell vehicle, a minivan from General Motors Corp. that runs on hydrogen and only emits water vapor, at a ceremony today at the state capitol.

The state would also pursue securing a hydrogen refueling station and will approach Maryland businesses and universities about building an industrial park in which all the buildings would be powered by hydrogen, Governor Ehrlich said. "Maryland has the potential to play an important role in the emerging hydrogen economy and today's announcements show we are off to a good start," Governor Ehrlich said.

The GM vehicle will be assigned to a state agency and will run a fixed route in Prince George's County. For more information regarding Governor Ehrlich's energy initiatives, go to www.energy.state.md.us.

According to Ken Cole, GM vice president of government relations, this collaboration between Maryland and GM is helping to lay the foundation for the early stages of economy driven by hydrogen and not by oil. Hydrogen can be made from renewable sources and could greatly reduce emissions from buildings and vehicles.

"Maryland is taking a significant step forward into the future of clean, sustainable energy by placing a fuel cell vehicle into the state's fleet," Cole said. "This relationship will assist us in gaining valuable experience and knowledge about hydrogen-powered vehicles. The citizens of Maryland can be proud of the leadership role their state is taking in exploring the future of transportation."

The GM minivan seats five and operates very similarly to a conventionally-powered vehicle. Fuel cells, unlike internal combustion engines in conventional vehicles, don't burn fuel. They convert hydrogen into electricity to move the car down the road and only emit water vapor.

GM has been operating a fleet of six fuel cell minivans in Washington, D.C. for more than a year. GM has also partnered with Shell Hydrogen to open the country's first hydrogen dispenser at a retail gas station to support the fleet. The station will open this fall.