Fuel cells are devices for generating electric power.
They share many of the characteristics of a battery - silent operation, no moving parts and an electrochemical reaction to generate power. However, unlike a battery, fuel cells need no recharging and will run indefinitely when supplied with fuel. In 1997, Daimler-Chrysler , Ford and Ballard Power Systems joined together in a consortium to build fuel cell engines and drive trains for cars. Toyota, Ford and General Motors say they will also launch fuel cell cars by 2004. Fuel cells have already been put into service on urban buses in Vancouver, Chicago and Berlin.