(West Sacramento, CA) -- The California Fuel Cell Partnership has launched an innovative program to encourage makers of hydrogen fuel-dispensing nozzles to demonstrate their equipment meets industry performance standards for hydrogen systems. CaFCP will award matching funds to help cover the testing costs.

“As more hydrogen fueling stations are built in California and around the world, it is vitally important that the fuel dispensing nozzles are verified to industry standards,” said Catherine Dunwoody, CaFCP executive director. “By encouraging the nozzle manufacturers to verify their equipment sooner rather than later, we are helping pave the way for accelerating the placement of fuel cell vehicles in fleets and other demonstration programs.”

Eligible companies must submit their nozzle to third-party testing to meet the design standard SAE J2600, Compressed Hydrogen Surface Vehicle Refueling Connection Devices . CaFCP will award 50 percent of the testing cost, up to $25,000, to up to four manufacturers.

Companies interested in participating in the testing incentive should send a letter of intent to Todd Suckow at tsuckow@cafcp.org . The letter of intent must be received no later than July1, 2004.

About the CaFCP
The Partnership -- which started in April 1999 -- includes auto manufacturers (DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen); energy providers (Air Products, BP, ChevronTexaco, ExxonMobil, Methanex, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Praxair, Proton Energy Systems, Shell Hydrogen, Stuart Energy, and Ztek); fuel cell technology companies (Ballard Power Systems and UTC Fuel Cells); government agencies (California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, South Coast AQMD, US Department of Energy, US Department of Transportation and US Environmental Protection Agency); and bus transit agencies (AC Transit, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and SunLine Transit Agency).

For more information, please contact the California Fuel Cell Partnership at: 916-371-2870 or by e-mail: info@cafcp.org