California Fuel Cell Partnership To Boost Fuel Cell Vehicles In 2003.

Building upon the achievements of the past year, the California Fuel Cell Partnership said its organizational goals for 2003, highlighted by tripling the current number of fuel cell electric vehicles on the road. The partnership also expects to add more hydrogen fueling stations, expand public awareness and education, and prepare for real-world, real-person fleet vehicle and fuel demonstrations.

"Given our achievements this year, we have lived up to our commitment to test fuel cell vehicles and fuel alternatives in real-world conditions," said Don Huberts, 2002 CaFCP Chairman and CEO of Shell Hydrogen. "While the road to wide-scale commercialization still runs uphill, we are blazing a trail marked with optimism and momentum, and it's a trail that stretches across the globe."

During 2003, the California Fuel Cell Partnership and its members will: Begin to place fuel cell electric vehicles in the hands of fleet customers in California by CaFCP members; Operate up to 60 fuel cell vehicles, together accumulating up to 265,000 miles; Place additional hydrogen fueling stations; Promote fueling station interoperability (i.e., common fit and use among vehicles); Develop and implement a First Responder training program targeting vehicle and fueling demonstration communities; Coordinate with other fuel cell vehicle programs worldwide and begin to promote consistent data collection and evaluation for bus programs; Expand outreach to the California public through multiple public events and activities; and Prepare for a broader rollout of vehicles and fueling in real-world fleet operations during 2004 and beyond.