Program Could Result in Hydrogen Highway from Vancouver to California

Ford and the Government of Canada, along with various provincial and municipal government departments, are trying to turn the dream of clean, fuel efficient transportation into reality.

The latest indication of this initiative was seen Thursday, March 31, the day prior to the opening of the Pacific International Auto Show in Vancouver, when Ford Motor Company delivered five Ford Focus Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) to the Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program (VFCVP) for real-use testing.

While the event is important to Canada, its also significant on a global perspective, being that the five vehicles Ford delivered were the first "customer-ready" FCVs

Ford Motor Company delivered five Ford Focus Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) to the Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program (VFCVP) for real-use testing. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, American Auto Press)

Toronto could potentially be considered for cold-weather testing the Focus FCV, according to John Marrone, Director General for Canada Energy Technology

The five vehicles Ford delivered were the first "customer-ready" FCVs to ever be made available sporting blue oval badges. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, American Auto Press)

Canadas largest city, incidentally, includes a "Hydrogen Village", featuring two refueling stations which could support the vehicles if needed. When asked about the potential

"At the present time we are concentrating this particular test in the Vancouver area," commented John Marrone, Director General for Canada Energy Technology Center in Ottawa. "Since they (Toronto) have the infrastructure, that could be the next place test. But the big limiting factor is the availability of such vehicles." (Photo: Gerry Frechette, American Auto Press)

In total,

"This groundbreaking project brings us one step closer to making fuel-cell technology viable as a global energy and transportation alternative," said Gerhard Schmidt, Vice-President, Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, American Auto Press)

And how does the British Columbia provincial government fit in to the project? "My ministry is responsible for the alternative energy programs that are happening in the province of British Columbia," stated the Honorable Richard Neufeld, British Columbias Minister for Energies and Mines;

"We are the world center for hydrogen development," the Honorable Richard Neufeld, British Columbias Minister for Energies and Mines. "What we want to do is build on that." (Photo: Gerry Frechette, American Auto Press)

The biggest challenge, at least so far, is developing an infrastructure of refueling stations to service hydrogen-powered cars. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, American Auto Press)

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