Governments need to impose stricter emission regulations in order to see the automotive industry fully embrace fuel cell technology, it has been suggested.

Although fuel cell vehicles have not yet been commercialised, a number of manufacturers have announced plans to launch them in the next few years.

Hyundai and Honda have specified release dates of 2013 and 2015 respectively, with industry analysts claiming that five to ten million fuel cell-powered cars will be on the road in 15 years' time.

However, Martin Green, Strategic Fuel Cell Development Director at Johnson Matthey, told Reuters that emission rules must be tightened further before such vehicles become widespread.

"Hydrogen fuel cells are still developmental for the colossal markets but there is a commercial market today for forklift trucks and telecom tower back-up power systems," he said in an interview with the news provider.

"Diesel car penetration took 40 years to get 50 per cent in Europe. These sorts of transitions take a long time unless regulation is there."

Mr Green noted that automakers in California, where a zero-emission mandate is in place, will need to put 7,000 fuel cell or electric vehicles on the road between 2012 and 2015.

Furthermore, he suggested that there is considerable potential for commercialisation in London, where drivers of clean vehicles are exempt from the congestion charge.

Johnson Matthey received a £3.2 million grant from the UK government in 2004 to help develop catalytic components which are central to the functioning of fuel cells.

Source:

Regulation vital for fuel-cell boom, says developer (29/04/10)

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