LOS ANGELES, CA – The California Fuel Cell Partnership today concluded its 2003 “Rally Thru The Valley,” a caravan of advanced fuel cell vehicles. The Road Rally traveled through the State’s Central Valley, a region plagued by poor air quality, to validate the potential for this near- to zero-emission transportation technology. Zero-emission fuel cell vehicles from six of the partnership’s eight automakers – DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota – demonstrated the road-worthiness of fuel cell technology. Other partners participating in the three-day, 400-mile Road Rally include BP, ChevronTexaco, Shell Hydrogen, Ballard Power Systems, Stuart Energy, Air Products, Praxair, the California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

“This year’s Road Rally was an extraordinary success,” said California Fuel Cell Partnership Chairman Alan Lloyd. “The Road Rally was an opportunity to showcase innovative fuel cell technology that if commercialized, can create an environment of energy diversity and efficiency. Californians in 10 counties became more familiar with the potential of fuel cell technology by seeing these vehicles up close. And it’s significant that this year’s event took place during Clean Air Month, reinforcing the positive impact zero-emission fuel cell vehicles can make on areas struggling to improve air quality.”

Fuel cell vehicles run on hydrogen and do not emit pollutants or greenhouse gases associated with combustion engines, a point important to the region where the Road Rally traveled through. In addition to remediating air quality issues, fuel cell technology can lead to greater diversity of the nation’s energy supply, with little environmental impact. Fuel cell vehicles run on hydrogen – the most abundant element found in the universe – that combines with oxygen to power a vehicle. Hydrogen can be made from renewable energy sources, providing a viable option for a sustainable energy supply in the future.

After a checkered flag start at the California Fuel Cell Partnership’s West Sacramento headquarters, this year’s Road Rally traveled from the State’s Capitol to Southern California, making stops in air quality hot spots including Fresno and Bakersfield. In addition to public test drives, the fuel cell vehicles made refueling stops and held public vehicle displays in the cities of Stockton, Ripon, Merced, Tulare and Valencia. In each city, the Road Rally was greeted by public officials and scores of citizens eager to test drive the alternative fueled vehicles.

In Los Angeles, Mayor James Hahn shared his support for the Road Rally and fuel cell vehicles and Deputy Mayor Brian Williams greeted the Road Rally at the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park. “Los Angeles has entered a new era of transportation by signing a two-year lease to put hydrogen-powered fuel cells into practical use,” said Mayor Hahn. “Our city is playing a lead role in showing the world our commitment in addressing environmental affairs.” Assemblymember Fran Pavley and other local elected officials also were on hand to share their support.

Vehicles participating in the three-day Road Rally will be on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum through Saturday, May 17.

More information about the Road Rally is available at www.fuelcellpartnership.org. An audio news release (ANR) is available for download at http://www.newstream.com/cgi-bin/display_reg_story.cgi?9386 or http://www.newstream.com/public_story.html?9386. To schedule an interview or to receive B-roll footage contact Katrina Straub at (310) 584-8329.

About the California Fuel Cell Partnership

The California Fuel Cell Partnership is a voluntary effort by industry and government organizations to advance a new vehicle technology that could move the world toward practical and affordable environmental solutions. The Partnership will demonstrate fuel cell-powered electric vehicles under real day-to-day driving conditions; demonstrate the viability of an alternative fuel infrastructure technology; explore the path to commercialization; and increase public awareness of fuel cell electric vehicles. The Partnership expects to place up to 60 fuel cell passenger cars and fuel cell buses on the road by 2003. For more information, visit www.fuelcellpartnership.org.www.fuelcellpartnership.org

California Fuel Cell Partnership

California Fuel Cell Partnership

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