Honda spends $2.1 million on fuel cells

By Staff -- Purchasing, 3/11/1999

Honda R & D of Saitama, Japan, has contracted for $2.1 million worth of fuel cells from Ballard Power Systems of Vancouver. The company plans to use the cells in its ongoing evaluation and development of fuel-cell-powered electric vehicles.

Ballard manufactures zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells that are used not only to power vehicles but in electric generators and various portable products. The fundamental process of the fuel cells combines hydrogen, obtained from methanol, natural gas, or petroleum, with oxygen from the air, without combustion. The combustion-free generation of electricity is considerably more environmentally clean than normal internal-combustion engines.

Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Volvo are also customers. Despite current low fuel prices, at some point in the foreseeable future, normal automotive fuels will run out, or environmental concerns will drive prices out of reach, and automakers are taking steps to investigate alternatives.

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