ANAHEIM, CA - On Oct. 4, members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) announced a plan to further the commercialization of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles at the Orange County Auto Show. According to a recent poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, 81 percent of Californians support increased funding for alternative fuels. The CaFCP plan will respond to this demand by extending the lifetime of the collaboration and turn its focus toward building market foundations for, and familiarizing the public with, fuel-cell vehicles and hydrogen fuel.

Established in 1999, the California Fuel Cell Partnership is a collaboration of 31 organizations working together to promote the commercialization of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. Members include auto manufacturers, energy companies, government agencies, and fuel-cell technology companies.

“Our members see so much value in what we accomplished in the first two phases that they voted to extend the life of our charter to include a third phase, which will take us to 2012,” said Catherine Dunwoody, executive director of the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

The third phase aims to build the market foundations for the vehicles, fuel and associated technologies. During Phase III, CaFCP members will address market challenges, build and promote a safe and convenient fueling infrastructure, and provide the public with hands-on experiences with the vehicles and fuel. Members also intend to increase the number of fuel-cell vehicles and hydrogen stations in California. Currently, 137 fuel-cell vehicles and nine fuel-cell buses fuel at 23 operational hydrogen stations in California.