Two US congressmen were suitably impressed after visiting a fuel cell technology unit in Honeoye Falls on Friday (20th March) afternoon, WHEC.com reports.

Eric Massa and Steve Isreal descended on the General Motors (GM) plant to oversee work which has seen 100 fuel cell vehicles being test driven on roads in New York, Washington and California.

The government has already devoted around £90 billion in tax incentives and the creation of green jobs, while also attempting to see hydrogen fuelling stations built around the country.

With the plant making a major impact on Mr Isreal in particular, he explained that the money appears to be being well spent.

He was quoted by the news provider as saying: "Having spent time in this facility. I have come to the conclusion that the end of America's dependence on foreign oil begins right here."

According to GM, 12,000 fuelling stations should be established, while it also admitted that the current vehicle cost of about $200,000 needs to come down substantially.

However, Mr Massa pledged his support for the initiative, envisaging a situation where "every cab on Manhattan is a hydrogen vehicle" and noting that there are "many paths to success here".

The lack of fuelling facilities means that GM is not expecting to be able to officially sell the fuel cell vehicles until 2015.

Source:

Congressmen tour fuel cell plant in Honeoye Falls, hopeful for the future (20/03/09)
http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S842715.shtml?cat=572