Fuel cell vehicles may soon be able to store enough hydrogen to travel for a thousand kilometers before refueling thanks to a new technology developed by a Norwegian firm.

Scientists say that the new carbon media produced by Kvaerner Technology Research could be instrumental in boosting the power of fuel cell vehicles.

The new carbon media is made of crystalline and non-crystalline materials produced by a two-step plasma process, according to Fuel Cell Today.

Kvaerner has formed a joint-venture company named Carbon Cones AS with n-TEC AS, a Norwegian start-up company specialising in the development of carbon nanotubes and related structures, to develop the technology.

The new company launched at the end of 2003 plans to start pilot production of carbon micro-cones during 2005.