Shipments of fuel cells around the world will break through the five million unit barrier by 2013, according to a new report published today (28th January).

Fuel Cell Today made the claim in its latest industry review - entitled Fuel Cells: Emerging Markets - after recording a total of 18,000 shipments in 2008, primarily of the portable and stationary variety.

The company's analysts noted that the level of uptake will boom in emerging markets such as India, Latin America and the Middle East in particular, allowing them to challenge the established strongholds of North America, Europe and Japan.

Furthermore, the study notes that there will be a move from a supply-driven market to a demand-driven market as fuel cells become more mainstream in key markets such as uninterruptible power supplies, portable devices, and combined cooling, heating and power.

One section of a FuelCellToday.com article reads: "This trend will be particularly evident in the emerging market regions, where the potential for rapid and vast adoption of fuel cell technology is met with low-cost manufacturing bases and sources of investment funds."

The analysts arrived at their final prediction after conducting a series of five-year forecasts.

Source:

Fuel Cell Shipments to Exceed 5 Million Units by 2013 (28/01/09)
http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/online/news/articles/2009-01/Fuel-Cell-shipments-to--exceed-5