Manufacturer Proton has announced that Proton has begun work on a new fuel cell bus.

The company is developing the fuel cell bus as part of a €3 million (£1.98 million) project to provide the Czech Republic with the vehicle.

Proton's subsidiary, Proton Motor, is now working on the development of a fuel cell power unit that can be used in the bus, which is expected to be in operation in Prague by 2009.

"Following our bus projects in Germany, we hope this development with Skoda is the first of several such projects in cities across Europe," commented Proton Power's chief executive Felix Heidelberg.

He added: "Short distance transport fleets, like buses, can benefit from our hybrid fuel cell technology, which includes energy storage systems capable of providing power during peak demand situations and recovering braking energy."

The project represents part of the Fuel Cells Czech Hydrogen-Bus project, funded by the European Commission, and is being developed in conjunction with Skoda Electric Pilsen.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd