Zoom Away

by Chris Raley
April 2002

Revolution in Palo Alto
MG Taylor Corporation's knOwhere Store in Palo Alto, California is now displaying the Revolution concept vehicle by Hypercar Inc. The Revolution is the design of a 99-mpg, five-passenger, zero emission SUV sport sedan crossover vehicle, which includes an advanced composite body and a hydrogen fuel cell.

"The design of the Revolution embodies Hypercar, Inc.'s passion for both car design and for the environment," said David Cramer, Hypercar, Inc.'s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships as quoted in a press release.

MG Taylor is the first company to publicly display Hypercar, Inc.'s show model. Previously it was displayed in a private show room in Aspen, Colorado.

Enter the New Millennium
European automaker PSA Peugeot Citroën has decided to buy Hydrogen on Demand^TM fuel systems from Millennium Cell Inc. for evaluation and integration into their electric powered vehicles. The agreement initially calls for the purchase and delivery of fuel cells to take place early this year. A Joint Development Agreement is anticipated if the integration of fuel cells is successful.

PSA Puegeot Citroen is the world's sixth largest carmaker and the second-largest car manufacturer on the European market. They have produced more than 9,000 electric vehicles to date and are the global leader in the manufacture of electric cars.

Millennium Cell is a development stage company that has created proprietary technology for the generation and storage of hydrogen. "We believe our Hydrogen on Demand(tm) fuel system provides important range extending technology in a very compact package that no other hydrogen storage alternative can provide," Rex Luzader, Millennium Cell Vice President, Business Development for Transportation and Hydrogen-Fuel Infrastructure was quoted as saying in a press release.

PSA Peugeot Citroën's plans to integrate the Hydrogen on Demand^TM fuel system into a prototype based on their Fuel Cell Cab.

Legislation to Give Tax Incentives
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) has included federal tax incentives for battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric vehicles in legislation he planned to bring before his committee on February 13, 2001. This legislation met with the approval of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas.

"EVAA has been working for many years to secure federal, market-based tax incentives for electric drive technologies," Eugene Zeltmann, Chairman and CEO of the New York Power Authority and EVAA's utility Co-Chair was quoted as saying in a press release.

The legislation will extend the existing federal tax credit to battery electric vehicles to provide tax credit from $3,500 to $40,000 depending on the weight and/or range until December 31, 2006. Fuel Cell vehicles would be eligible for an additional credit of $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Other credits will be offered as well to hybrid cars and alternative fuel refueling property, which would include charging equipment and hydrogen refueling systems.

"This legislation will set the stage for a consumer-based and technology-led transformation in the transportation industry. New technologies will offer fuel economy gains without the traditional trade-offs of reduced vehicle size, safety, performance or utility," EVAA Policy Committee Chair and Ford Motor Company's Legislative Manager Curt Magleby was quoted as saying in a press release.

Chris Raley is a freelance writer and technology enthusiast.