A number of fuel cell cars will go on show at the 2005 World Congress of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in Detroit next week.

The US Fuel Cell Council (USFCC) will be displaying six cars at a special fuel cell and hydrogen pavilion in collaboration with the California Fuel Cell Partnership, H2 Cars Biz magazine reports.

Fuel cell cars and technologies from several USFCC members will be exhibited, including General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Ballard Power Systems, Gore Fuel Cell Technologies and Nuvera Fuel Cells.

The USFCC stressed the importance of fuel cell development, particularly in the current climate.

"This focus on fuel cells is not merely timely, but necessary," said Robert Rose, USFCC executive director.

"Fuel cells can both reduce reliance on imported oil and take the automobile out of the environmental debate.

"Hundreds of buses, cars, off-road vehicles and hydrogen fuelling networks are proving the technology's feasibility around the world today, and the industry has launched pre-commercial fleet demonstrations here in the United States," he added.

The SAE World Congress is the largest original equipment service, parts, and components exhibition in the world.