Charging Ahead (continued)

		Vehicles run by fuel cells spew out little more than pure water vapor

In November 2000, the Partnership opened a state-of-the-art test facility in West Sacramento, CA. The site houses a hydrogen fueling station and is equipped with eight fuel-cell car bays, one for each of the member auto makers. Already, Ford, DaimlerChrysler and Honda have models at the site, and frequently roll them out for testing on the California freeways. The Nissan, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Toyota and General Motors models are due in the summer of 2001.

	The 21st century may see fuel cells powering everything from cell phone to entire manufacturing plants.

"The technology is still pre-commercial," says Irvin. "The auto companies would be the first to tell you that. But we can't get there without running cars day in and day out."

The Partnership aims to have a fleet of fuel cell-powered cars on the roads by 2004, either as part of public transportation systems or as privately owned company vehicles. In the meantime, the demo cars make appearances at local high schools and sporting events and will be highly visible at this year's Earth Week and county fairs. "The message from those involved is that fuel cell technology has the most promise of replacing the internal combustion engine of any other competing technology out there," says Irvin. "That's a strong, convincing statement."

Nissan's version of the fuel cell auto

The 21st century may see fuel cells powering everything from cell phone to entire manufacturing plants. In the meantime, the somewhat unlikely alliances that make up the California Fuel Cell Partnership is working to ensure fuel-cell-powered cars are on the road in just a few years. "We have our arms locked as we go forward," says Irvin, "so we don't go too far without leaving a major stone unturned."
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Photo: American Methanol Institute