Currently, fuel cell vehicles are in demonstration and validation programs in California, New York and Michigan, and in Europe and Asia. These demonstration programs help the automakers ensure the vehicles will meet consumer expectations when ready for market and help the energy companies build a convenient and easy fueling infrastructure.
Each automaker has a different timeline for bringing the vehicles to market. Some are looking at early commercial models in 2010, others say 2015. Most expect to see showroom quantities of fuel cell vehicles between 2018 and 2020.
Fuel cell buses are more likely to be for sale sooner than passenger vehicles. As transit agencies replace diesel buses, fuel cell buses offer immediate and tangible benefits to communities, airports and university campuses. |
