Some of the world's leading automotive manufacturers have announced details of major developments in the fuel cell industry, with government partnerships in the US establishing a major new drive in the sector.

DaimlerChrysler has embarked on a $70 million drive to further develop fuel cell vehicles in the US in collaboration with the government's department of energy (DoE), in a five-year project.

The deal links the carmaker with BP and other companies as partners to help increase public awareness about fuel cell vehicles, the hydrogen economy and its benefits to society. The drive will involve outreach programmes including placing more fuel cell vehicles with consumers to obtain valuable feedback about performance in different conditions.

The deal is part of the DoE's Controlled Fleet and Hydrogen Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project.

"The DoE program will further expand our knowledge of fuel cell technology, demonstrate our commitment to zero emission transportation and support our nation's long term vision of a hydrogen economy," said Deborah Morrissett, vice president of regulatory affairs at the Chrysler Group.

She added that such cooperative partnerships were exactly what were needed to accelerate fuel cell development in the US.

In collaboration with Ballard Power Systems, DaimlerChrysler has already succeeded in developing a range of fuel cell powered vehicles for different applications.

These include the passenger car Mercedes F-Cell and the Dodge Fuel Cell Sprinter van with UPS, the first medium-duty fuel cell vehicle used commercially in the US.

News of the deal comes as General Motors (GM) announces it too has signed a deal with the DoE to work on fuel cell development, with funding of $88 million being supplied.

The carmaker will use the money to build a fleet of 40 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and further develop hydrogen fuel technology.

Under the terms of the five-year programme, GM will contribute half the cost towards the development of the vehicles with the DoE contributing the rest.

The fuel cell demonstration vehicles will be deployed in Washington DC, New York, California and Michigan.

Shell Hydrogen has said it will support GM by setting up five hydrogen refuelling stations in Washington DC, New York City, between Washington DC and New York and in California.

The deal is part of a US government drive to foster fuel cell development and raise public awareness of the technology.