CA Fuel Cell Partnership Adds Santa Clara VTA To Aid Bus Demonstrations

    SACRAMENTO, Calif.--June 27, 2001--The California Fuel Cell Partnership today announced the addition of the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (www.vta.org) to assist with acquisition and testing of fuel cell electric buses. VTA will acquire several fuel cell buses to its fleet as part of the CaFCP's goal to demonstrate up to 20 fuel cell buses by mid-2003.
    The addition of VTA raises to three the number of transit agencies now involved in the demonstration project. Already on board are Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (www.actransit.org), and SunLine Transit Agency (www.sunline.org).
    "We are pleased to welcome VTA on board to help demonstrate and raise public awareness of fuel cell technology," said Dr. Ferdinand Panik, CaFCP Chairman and Sr. Vice President at DaimlerChrysler. "Buses play a key role in our efforts. Our experience shows that they provide an excellent opportunity for educating the public - from the riders to policymakers - about the environmental and performance benefits of the fuel cell engine."
    "We are honored and excited to be on the leading edge of demonstrating fuel cell vehicle technology. This partnership reinforces VTA's dedication to improve the environment," says Manuel Valerio, VTA Chairperson and Sunnyvale City Council member.
    The CaFCP is a public-private venture working together to demonstrate fuel cell electric vehicles and explore an alternative fuel infrastructure. When fueled by hydrogen, fuel cell vehicles have zero emissions - the byproduct of the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen is water and heat.
    The Partnership - which began in April 1999 - includes auto manufacturers (DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen); energy providers (BP, ExxonMobil, Shell, Texaco); fuel cell companies (Ballard Power Systems, International Fuel Cells and XCELLSiS); and government agencies (the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Transportation).
    The team also includes Associate Partners that assist with specific areas of expertise to help meet the Partnership's goals: hydrogen gas suppliers (Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Praxair); hydrogen fueling stations (Hydrogen Burner Technology, Pacific Gas & Electric, Proton Energy Systems, Inc., and Stuart Energy Systems); a methanol fuel supplier (Methanex); and bus transit companies (AC Transit, SunLine Transit Agency, and now Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority).