Re: [OT] Fuel Cells was: Space Programs

Bush's program has two major parts:
The FreedomCAR program was launched in early 2002. It's goal is to 
develop vehicle technologies, one of which is fuel cells. The program is
a 
joint effort between the Big 3, suppliers and others and replaced
Clinton's 
Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles. Karl, the Big 3 includes 
DaimlerChrysler (along with GM and Ford), so yes, they would be involved
in 
this.

Bush wants to add FreedomFUEL, a companion program pushing hydrogen 
fuel research (production, distribution and storage issues).

GM is already spending $100 million a year on this and will begin
testing a 
fleet of 100 fuel cell-equipped Opel Zafira vans in Japan in June. I
think 
FedEx will be using the vehicles.

The Honda program mentioned by Ryan will lease about 30 Honda FCX fuel 
cell cars to public entities in Los Angeles and Japan.

The big holdup right now is the cost in precious metals, especially
platinum. 
Masashi Arita from Nissan says it takes 80 to 100 grams of platinum to 
make a fuel cell with the power output of 100 horsepower.

>And has the Bush administration suddenly become environmentally
>friendly ? Or have the big car maker started to holler for subsidies ?

I can't comment on the political machinations of the Bush
administration. 
I've never found them to be overtly "friendly" to the environment. But
the 
big car makers always holler for subsidies. Of all types. Hey, if it can
help 
make fuel cells a reality, I won't complain.

Kevin Balentine
Automotive Writer
The Dallas Morning News

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: KH.Ranitzsch@t-online.de
Reply-To: gzg-l@csua.berkeley.edu
Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2003 17:18:49 +0100 (CET)

>Ryan Gill schrieb:
>> At 3:43 PM +0100 2/4/03, KH.Ranitzsch@t-online.de wrote:
>> >I just wonder what the State of the Union Address has to
>> do with fuel
>> >cells ?
>> 
>> Bush stated that he wants to put federal money to
>> encouraging auto-makers to come up with fuel cell cars sooner. I
>> wonder if Honda will get money for the FCX (hydrogen Fuel Cell auto)
>they
>> just put on the market in California for fleets. Its first one out
>> there.
>
>Only to American manufacturers ? And will Daimler-Chrysler count as
>such ? They have been test-driving fuel-cell vehicles (Small A-class
>Mercedes) across the US for some time.
>http://www.fleet.chrysler.com/afv_news_details_1.jsp
>
>And has the Bush administration suddenly become environmentally
>friendly ? Or have the big car maker started to holler for subsidies ?
>
>Greetings
>Karl Heinz
>