Nissan Said It Will Have Fuel Cell Technology By 2005.(Brief Article)

Nissan Motor Co. said it expected to have obtained the technology for fuel cell vehicle production by 2005. Nissan, in the midst of a dramatic restructuring, has lagged in the development of fuel cell technology, although it and partner Renault SA have said they will invest 85 billion yen ($695 million) over five years in such research.

Although many other major automakers have said they plan to develop a fuel cell vehicle for the market by 2003 or 2004, the new technology is not expected to become a viable alternative for mass-production until at least after 2010. Renault said it would take a decade to start mass producing fuel-cell vehicles until they are priced reasonably and profitable at the same time.

Nissan said it will participate in the Japanese government's testing program for fuel-cell vehicles to begin in 2002. Nissan also said it would expand the use of ultra-low emission vehicle technology in up to 80 percent of its cars by the end of its three-year restructuring plan in March 2003.

Nissan said 11 of the 15 new models will be using the "U-LEV" technology, where exhaust emissions are reduced to 75 percent or more below levels mandated under the nation's exhaust regulations of 2000. Nissan said that the majority of its cars will be U-LEV equipped by the end of next business year.

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