Multinational car manufacturing giant DaimlerChrysler has confirmed it has sold its first fuel cell vehicle in California.

The customer is the US government's Air Quality Management District (AQMD), which will use a DaimlerChrysler F-Cell at its new hydrogen refuelling station, the first of its kind open to the public in the US.

The purchase represents the beginning of the creation of a 100-strong fuel cell fleet by DaimlerChrysler which will be put into service in the near future - and marks a significant step forward in the commercialisation of the technology.

AQMD's F-Cell will enable both the agency and DaimlerChrysler to gain additional practical experience with a fuel cell vehicle and a public hydrogen refuelling station, with both sides able to exchange feedback.

"This effort demonstrates how DaimlerChrysler and AQMD are delivering on a challenge for industry and government agencies to create viable alternative fuel solutions," said Mark Chernoby, vice president of Advance Vehicle Engineering with the Chrysler Group.

"We're proud to have AQMD as a customer in this demonstration program which will help bring this technology to market."

With the entire fuel cell system housed in the floor of the vehicle, the F-Cell, based on the Mercedes A-Class, has a range of approximately 100 miles and a top speed of 85 mph, while the electric motor develops 88 hp enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 16 seconds.

Several types of fuel cell produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catalyst.