Abstract
The continuing pressure on emissions and the need to meet high expectations for transportation has led to the development of a range of new powerplant technologies. With the objective of cleanliness coupled with good economy and driveability, fuel cell power offers the advantage of electric propulsion but with longer range than current battery technology allows. The favourable efficiency and environmental characteristics of fuel cell technologies have now been verified by virtue of field experience. The key issue regarding the timing and extent of fuel cell commercialisation is the reduction of costs to acceptable levels. The paper addresses issues of cost in the vehicle installation and choice of fuels.