The German automaker, a leader in super-low emission fuel cell technology, said the first buses powered by the new engines would be delivered in 2002, with passenger cars following in 2003. The move prepares DaimlerChrysler for California's zero emissions law, which requires 10 percent of the cars and light trucks sold there to use nonpolluting technology by the year 2003. While battery-driven cars are one alternative, major manufacturers are scurrying to develop fuel cells because they offer better engine performance.
Fuel cells produce electricity through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.
The result is power to run vehicles with little or no pollution, water vapor being the main byproduct. DaimlerChrysler spokeswoman Annette Kliem said the company would produce only between 20 and 30 buses in the initial batch. She declined to provide figures for additional bus or passenger car production. But DaimlerChrysler has the lead in the technology and one day when it becomes a volume business, DaimlerChrysler may be able to maintain a higher share in the market. That is a long way off, but could get a boost by a trend of tighter emission standards being considered across the United States.