Fuel Cell Vehicle Pilot Fleet Planned for California /

Partnership Includes DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Ballard, Three OilCompanies Frankfurt, Germany (ots-PRNewswire) - A new California FuelCell Partnership confirms the extraordinary progress in fuel cellvehicles, and provides a model for pilot fleets worldwide, thedirector of the World Fuel Cell Council said today. The Partnership involves Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Ballard PowerSystems, Arco, Shell, Texaco and two California governmentagencies. It was announced in Sacramento, California, by thegovernor and senior corporate executives. The partnership aims totest 45 to 50 fuel cell powered cars and buses between 2000 and2003 on California roads. "The partnership is remarkable not only because it providesthe first test of fuel cell cars in real world conditions, butalso because it involves all the sectors necessary for commercialsuccess," said WFCC Director Marcus Nurdin. "The partnershipincludes the auto industry, suppliers, three oil companies andtwo government agencies, with room for more participants. This isno mere demonstration, but a genuine pilot fleet testingexercise, and thus another milestone for fuel cell vehicles." Ford and DaimlerChrysler will provide the automobiles,beginning with five hydrogen powered vehicles each by 2001. Fuelcell vehicles from other fuels including methanol will be testedbetween 2002 - 2003. The Partnership will work with Californiatransit agencies to demonstrate 20 fuel cell buses. The vehicleswill be powered by fuel cells from Ballard. Arco, Shell andTexaco will provide test fuels for the vehicles. The California Air Resources Board and Energy Commission willparticipate. They hope to attract additional participants such asToyota and General Motors, who announced this week acollaborative research effort on fuel cells and other electricdrive vehicles. "It is also significant that the pilot fleet testing will beconducted in public view," Nurdin added. "This should increasethe confidence level of all parties in the progress of fuelcells. I congratulate all involved." Nurdin noted several "firsts" for the partnership: * First commitment to real world testing for fuel cellpassenger cars. * First public operation of the Ford P2000 fuel cell vehicle,and thus the first such demonstration in the U.S. by an Americanmanufacturer. * First pilot fleet test for fuel cell vehicles. * First public collaboration between the auto industry andoil industry on fuels for fuel cells. ots Original Text Service:World Fuel Cell Council Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.deContact: Marcus Nurdin of the World Fuel Cell Council, inFrankfurt, 49-69-283-851

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