a ten-year cost-shared program to bring fuel cells to the US market. The federal share of the costs would be $5.5 billion, significantly larger than the $150 million that the Department of Energy (DOE) currently devotes to fuel cells, says the report. It may be a drop in the ocean by the standard of these demands, but the DOE has announced the allocation of $7 million in 2003 towards around 15 projects on stationary and automotive fuel cells. This is the largest solicitation in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells for stationary applications, and represents the first step in the newly formed Hydrogen, Fuel Cell and Infrastructure Technologies program. As well as targeting specific development and demonstration milestones, projects on more general topics such as materials for high-temperature membranes and nonprecious metal catalysts also feature. But while the politicians continue to debate, the automotive industry is powering ahead with the drive towards a more fuel cell-based economy. DaimlerChrysler and Ballard Power Systems unveiled two next-generation fuel cell vehicles in Germany this Fall. JΓΌrgen Hubbert, member of DaimlerChrysler's management board, announced the company's intention to introduce 60 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 'F-Cell' vehicles to limited customer fleets in Europe, Japan, Singapore, and the US next year. General Motors (GM) also unveiled a fuel cell vehicle at this year's Paris Motor Show (as shown on p.3). Hy-wire incorporates three H 2 fuel tanks, as well as a 94 kW fuel cell. According to GM's VP of research and development and planning, "We are driving to have compelling and affordable fuel cell vehicles on the road by the end of the decade." In the meantime, some of the first fuel cell vehicles are taking to the streets in Los Angeles and Japan. Honda is leasing about 30 of its FCX models, similar to the Civic but powered by H 2 supplied to a fuel cell stack, for evaluation over the next 2-3 years. Although, "This vehicle is now ready for practical use," according to American Honda VP Tom Elliott, the company has no immediate plans for mass-market sales to individuals.