Car maker DaimlerChrysler has delivered 30 fuel cell vehicles as part of a government programme.

The vehicles were built for the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CAFCP), which becomes the 17th US customer for one of the company's fuel cell vehicles.

It is the opening part of an $88 million commitment from the company to the US department of energy's Hydrogen Learning Demonstration Programme.

Employees from the CAFCP will drive the zero-emission cars, which will provide data for future development plans.

"It takes cooperation from industries and governments to create viable alternative-fuel solutions," said Mark Chernoby, vice president of advance vehicle engineering at Chrysler Group.

"We're pleased to be a driving force in this team effort with the department of energy and the California Fuel Cell Partnership to develop zero-emissions transportation."

The F-Cell technology is housed in the floor of the car. It has a range of around 100 miles and a top speed of 85 mph.

DaimlerChrysler has taken the lead in developing fuel cell cars, having spent more than $1 billion researching the technology and clocking up over 1.2 million emission-free miles.

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