Until then about 1GEuro will have been invested. The first cars would be only a small series of not more than 1000, Panik said. In 2010, however, sales of 100.000 per year could be expected. To the list of topics Methanol direct DaimlerChrysler and Ballard want to introduce the direct methanol fuel cell in the car. This device incorporates the cracking of the methanol molecule in the electrochemical processes in the membrane.
Larger systems are already in the laboratory stage or planned.
The companies say that the direct methanol fuel cell could be used in ten years. They consider the connections to stationary and portable applications with great interest. To the list of topics DaimlerChryslerMitsubishi Daimler will work with Mitsubishi in the development of fuel cell systems in Japan. The joint project will probably exceed the billion limit in terms of costs. A serial product could exist in four or five years.