Fuel cell companies push for federal funding

Sept. 9, 2002
A coalition of 26 fuel cell companies is teaming up with environmentalists to lobby the Bush Administration and Congress for federal funding to help fuel cell technology become an alternate power source for the transportation industry. In report called "Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: The Path Forward," the coalition calls for a national fuel cell and hydrogen strategy, laying out a 10-year cost-shared program
A coalition of 26 fuel cell companies is teaming up with environmentalists to lobby the Bush Administration and Congress for federal funding to help fuel cell technology become an alternate power source for the transportation industry.

In report called "Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: The Path Forward," the coalition calls for a national fuel cell and hydrogen strategy, laying out a 10-year cost-shared program to bring fuel cells to the American marketplace.

The federal share of the program over 10 years would be $5.5 billion, a commitment comparable to the current federal investment in conventional fuels and other advanced energy technologies, the group said.

Fuel cells provide vehicle power by using hydrogen gas as a fuel source, emitting only water vapor and oxygen as exhaust. In the transportation industry, fuel cells have been demonstrated on transit buses and as prototype auxiliary power units on Class 8 trucks.

Estimates of annual private sector investment in fuel cell technology range from $1 billion to $3 billion.

About the Author

Sean Kilcarr | Editor in Chief

Sean previously reported and commented on trends affecting the many different strata of the trucking industry. Also be sure to visit Sean's blog Trucks at Work where he offers analysis on a variety of different topics inside the trucking industry.

Sponsored Recommendations

Reducing CSA Violations & Increasing Safety With Advanced Trailer Telematics

Keep the roads safer with advanced trailer telematics. In this whitepaper, see how you can gain insights that lead to increased safety and reduced roadside incidents—keeping drivers...

80% Fewer Towable Accidents - 10 Key Strategies

After installing grille guards on all of their Class 8 trucks, a major Midwest fleet reported they had reduced their number of towable accidents by 80% post installation – including...

Proactive Fleet Safety: A Guide to Improved Efficiency and Profitability

Each year, carriers lose around 32.6 billion vehicle hours as a result of weather-related congestion. Discover how to shift from reactive to proactive, improve efficiency, and...

Tackling the Tech Shortage: Lessons in Recruiting Talent and Reducing Turnover

Discover innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining tech talent in the trucking industry at our April 16th webinar, where experts will share insights on competitive pay...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!