Nissan Plans Fuel Cell Vehicle by 2007

Nissan is reportedly working a fuel-cell powered vehicle with a proprietary stack design to be available to Japanese and US government agencies by 2007. The project will involve an investment of $460 million-$644 million. Nissan's only public announcement has been on plans to open a dedicated research center in Yokohama to study the development of a fuel cell and fuel cell-powered vehicle. Recently, Nissan began selling cars with US-made fuel cells to several Japanese companies.

Nissan's X-Trail fuel cell prototype took part in recent company global product presentation in San Francisco.

Reva – India’s First Fuel Cell Car

India will join the ranks of fuel cell vehicle producers thanks to the Reva Electric Car Company, a joint venture between Maini Group of Bangalore and America's AEV LLC. Reva recently unveiled a fuel cell prototype.

The Reva car uses a flexible platform reported to be modular and adaptable to hydrogen tanks of different sizes. The car’s energy management system is modified for the prototype to monitor and control energy flow from the fuel cell system under a variety of driving conditions.

The PEM fuel cell, sourced from siGEN of Scotland, is fueled by compressed hydrogen.

Ballard restructures deal with DaimlerChrysler and Ford
Associated Press

DaimlerChrysler AG and Ford Motor Co. would provide $58 million to a Canadian partner for further fuel cell development and alter their roles in the alliance as part of a proposed agreement.

The Canadian company, Ballard Power Systems Inc., has been in the forefront of developing hydrogen fuel cells for automobiles. Ballard’s partners in commercializing fuel cells include DaimlerChrysler and Ford, though the alliance would be somewhat redefined under the new agreement.

In addition to the funding, DaimlerChrysler and Ford would buy Ballard’s vehicular fuel cell systems unit and become jointly responsible for developing and making the systems.

The two automakers, which have a 35 percent stake in Ballard, would acquire the systems business and, in exchange, return 9 million Ballard common shares they hold.

The shares, which were valued at $80.4 million at the close of trading Wednesday, would then be canceled.

After the deal, DaimlerChrysler and Ford would own 32.7 percent of Ballard, which is based in Burnaby, British Columbia. Ballard said the companies expect to complete the deal later this year.

Dennis Campbell, Ballard’s president and chief executive, said in a statement the realignment would allow Ballard to focus on fuel cell research while tapping resources at DaimlerChrysler and Ford.