The Evolution of Fuel Cell Vehicles

Not so long ago, automakers and analysts were predicting fuel-cell cars that run on hydrogen as a viable choice in the coming-soon years. Lately, that launch date has moved further and further into the distance: not before 2010, and possibly as late as 2020.

Slow, But Sure
Are fuel cells a fairy tale? Or, will Prince Hydrogen be riding in to whisk away the Sleeping Fuel-cell Princess, to live happily in an emission-free world? Currently, nearly all major automakers have an active development program. Yet, the number of operative fuel-cell vehicles is measured in mere dozens.


Even as that new age finally dawns, the number of fuel-cell cars is sure to be small. General Motors, for instance, is still committed to 2010 as a goal, but not as a date to have fuel-cell automobiles on the road on a large scale. By then, the company will simply "establish engineering capability," said spokesperson Dave Barthmuss. Stephen Ellis, Honda's manager of fuel-cell vehicle marketing, foresees a "long, slow, incremental growth period."


Currently, GM has about 20 fuel-cell vehicles operating worldwide, including one that delivers mail. Ford launched a fleet of 30 fuel-cell Focus models in 2004, for use by municipalities and institutions, and five went to Florida organizations late in 2005.


DaimlerChrysler has "more hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles on the road than any other manufacturer," said spokesperson Nick Cappa, but "we have not committed a time." Currently, 28 passenger cars are operational on hydrogen, including a compact Mercedes-Benz A-Class that may qualify as the smallest fuel-cell vehicle. UPS uses a pair of fuel-cell Sprinter vans. More than 30 DaimlerChrysler fuel-cell buses are in use, though not in the U.S.