Hydrogen-powered cars using platinum catalysts will be brought to the mainstream market by 2015, according to Todd Goldstein of General Motors (GM).

Mr Goldstein, who works as engineer at GM's fuel cell division, told Canadian Press: "General Motors is anticipating that around 2010 you'll see these vehicles start to be deployed for fleet applications. It's going to be probably 2015 before these vehicles are available to the average consumer."

The delay in making the cars widely available is down to glitches in existing technology that will need to be ironed out such as noises emanating from the engine as well as the need to ensure the cars can weather long periods of sustained use, Mr Goldstein said.

"We need to have a vehicle that'll last 150,000 kilometres or more - that's the target," he told CP.

"That'll involve us working very closely with our suppliers to make our components automotive grade and also certainly make them cost-effective to meet our targets for cost down the road."

News of GM's projection comes as the market-leading marque recently used the Shanghai Auto Show to unveil a fuel cell version of its Chevrolet Volt electric car, which uses a platinum catalyst and produces zero emissions.

Sources:

Fuel cell cars 'in showrooms by 2015', 30/04/07
http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/FuelCellToday/IndustryInformation/IndustryInformationExternal/NewsDisplayArticle/0,1602,9097,00.html

Fuel cell cars in showrooms by 2015, 30/04/7
http://www.eta.co.uk/news/newsview.asp?n=783

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