California Fuel Cell Partnership Welcomes UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies as New Member

(West Sacramento, CA) -- The California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) today announced that the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis (ITS-Davis), has joined its public-private venture to demonstrate and promote fuel cell vehicles and fuel alternatives.

Founded in 1991, ITS-Davis’ mission is to conduct research, education and outreach on emerging transportation issues with great societal significance. ITS-Davis' faculty and students represent varied disciplines including engineering, economics, environmental science and policy, business and human behavior. With the initiation of their Hydrogen Pathways Research Project in 2003, ITS-Davis is evaluating the technical, economic, environmental and societal issues associate with a transition to hydrogen as a transportation fuel. ITS-Davis is also conducting a demonstration project with two Toyota fuel cell hybrid vehicles that involves significant public education programs and assessing how consumers respond to new vehicle technologies. In addition, the Institute hosts hardware evaluation programs focused on hydrogen and fuel cells, including a hydrogen fueling station located on the UC Davis campus.

“The CaFCP is the key group bringing industry and government together to guide the wise development of fuel cell vehicles -- an essential element for tomorrow's transportation solutions,” said Dan Sperling, director of ITS-Davis. “Our research and outreach supports the mission of the CaFCP, and we are truly honored to begin working as a member of this collaborative organization.”

ITS-Davis will participate in CaFCP’s technical programs to address vehicle and fueling station interoperability, or “common fit” protocols. UC Davis will also develop and implement educational materials for K-12, undergraduate and graduate level courses, and conduct outreach and education activities that support the CaFCP’s goal to increase public awareness of fuel cell vehicles. More information on ITS-Davis may be reviewed at: www.its.ucdavis.edu.

About the CaFCP

The California Fuel Cell Partnership is a voluntary, industry-government collaboration to advance a new vehicle and fueling technology that could move the world toward practical and affordable environmental solutions. CaFCP members are demonstrating fuel cell-powered electric vehicles under real day-to-day driving conditions; testing alternative fuels and demonstrating the viability of an alternative fuel infrastructure technology; facilitating the path to commercialization; and increasing public awareness of fuel cell electric vehicles. The CaFCP is working to facilitate placement of up to 300 fuel cell passenger cars and buses on the road by the end of 2007.

The CaFCP -- 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); 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 the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis); 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 email: info@cafcp.org