The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Ballard Fuel Cell-Powered Vehicles Unveiled

2 November 2000

Ballard Fuel Cell-Powered Vehicles Unveiled at California Fuel Cell Partnership Ceremony

    VANCOUVER, B.C.--Nov. 1, 2000--Ballard Power Systems Inc. announced today that 14 fuel cell vehicles from seven automobile and bus manufacturers were shown to the public at the Grand Opening of the California Fuel Cell Partnership facility. Eleven of these vehicles are powered by Ballard(R) fuel cells.
    Eight cars from Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Nissan, and Honda and three buses from DaimlerChrysler and Xcellsis Fuel Cell Engines were powered by Ballard during the Official Opening ceremonies that took place in Sacramento, California today. The California Fuel Cell Partnership is committed to enabling fuel cell vehicle commercialization as a means of moving toward a sustainable energy future -- increasing energy efficiency, improving air quality, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
    "Today marks an historic event with members of the auto industry coming together to show the world the future of automotive power -- a fuel cell future," said Firoz Rasul, Ballard's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The valuable information that we will gain from the demonstration and field trial of Ballard powered fuel cell vehicles in California will continue to extend our leadership position in the fuel cell industry. It will also strengthen our customer relationships with the leading companies in the automotive industry."
    The Partnership -- which formally began in April 1999 -- includes auto manufacturers (DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen, and now GM and Toyota), energy providers (BP, Shell, Texaco), fuel cell companies (Ballard Power Systems and International Fuel Cells), and government agencies (the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District).
    The California Fuel Cell Partnership is a voluntary effort to advance a new automobile technology that could move the world toward practical and affordable environmental solutions. The Partnership will demonstrate fuel cell-powered electric vehicles under real day-to-day driving conditions; will demonstrate the viability of an alternative fuel infrastructure technology; explore the path to commercialization; and increase public awareness of fuel cell electric vehicles. The Partnership will place more than 70 fuel cell passenger cars and fuel cell buses on the road between 2000 and 2003.
    Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for use in transportation, electricity generation and portable power products. Ballard Power Systems' proprietary fuel cell technology is enabling automobile, electrical equipment and portable power product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean products for sale. The fundamental component of these end-user products is the Ballard(R) fuel cell that combines hydrogen (which can be obtained from methanol, natural gas or petroleum) and oxygen (from air) without combustion to generate electricity.