The launch of new technology by Linde North America will help to hasten the commercialisation of all types of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the US, it has been claimed.

According to the firm, which is a member of the Linde Group, the combination of an economic stimulus package put together by the new US administration and the roll-out of Linde's Ionic Compressor will see hydrogen-powered vehicles introduced "at a much faster pace over the next few years".

Already used in Europe for cars and buses, the Ionic Compressor is a compression system which revolutionises the pressurising process.

In the US it will be used in a fuel dispensing system aimed at the hydrogen fuel cell fork lift truck market.

"The Ionic Compressor is a step change in the area of hydrogen fuelling," Michael McGowan, Head of Hydrogen Solutions for Linde North America, explained.

"It is a high-efficiency, high-throughput, low-maintenance and low-noise compression solution."

He added that the technology moves the hydrogen-powered vehicles from the realms of "scientific curiosity" into practical reality.

Linde's HF-KTA hydrogen fuelling station is also scheduled for release in North America later this month.

Treasury secretary Tim Geithner announced further plans to stimulate the US economy on Monday (March 23rd).

Source:

Linde unveils ground-breaking technology for fuelling hydrogen-powered vehicles (23/03/09)
http://www.lindeus.com/international/web/lg/us/likelgus30.nsf/0/AB77A765F8A64F68C1257582005DC0F7