Tractor manufacturer New Holland has announced that it will showcase a new prototype fuel cell tractor at the SIMA agricultural show in Paris next month.

The company, which is a subsidiary of Fiat, has not yet confirmed details of the technology, but it is likely to comprise a hydrogen-powered fuel cell, similar to those used for new cars.

According to officials at the firm, the hydrogen could be generated through the electrolysis of water, based on wind, solar or biomass power sources.

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2008/12/16/113541/hydrogen-powered-new-holland-to-be-at-paris-show.html

Ballard Power Systems has confirmed that tests on its prototype fuel cell bus proved to be successful and authorisation has now been obtained to construct 20 of the vehicles.

The buses - which managed to attain 450km with an electrical efficiency of 57 per cent during 16-hour daily tests in Victoria and Whistler - will be delivered to British Columbia Transit by the end of 2009.

It is hoped that the vehicles will be able to use their 150kw, two-stack module HD6 fuel cell during and after the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, which are set to take place in Whistler.

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/12-18-2008/0004944752&EDATE=

Staying in Canada, a new national association has been created to front the country's successful hydrogen and fuel cell sector and represent the majority of its stakeholders.

The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association was formed following the completion of a merger between the Canadian Hydrogen Association (CHA) and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Canada.

The new body, which will have offices in Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal, will deliver workshops, promote the sector on an international scale and develop relations with Canadian authorities.

CHA Chair Pierre Gauthier said: "As the sector begins to gain commercial traction, the time is right to consolidate and focus its sector leadership."

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canadian-Hydrogen-And-Fuel-Cell-Association-935076.html

Researchers in New Mexico are conducting a range of tests to investigate the possibility of creating fuel cells powered by biofuels such as ethanol, it has been confirmed.

The US Department of Energy issued a $750,000 grant to help the scientists devise whether ethanol can be reformed to produce hydrogen and, if successful, whether direct electrochemical oxidation of ethanol works.

The programme - which features researchers from University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Tech, Eastern New Mexico University, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Labs - is expected to produce a new family of materials.

http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/articles/fuelcells/bus_news/090106_unm.html

US firm Chevrolet has announced that its flagship fuel cell programme has hit some significant milestones in recent weeks.

The 'Project Driveway' initiative, which commenced in October 2007, has now put 100 Equinox fuel cell vehicles on the road and clocked up a total of 500,000 fuel cell miles by Christmas.

Commenting on the news, Ed Peper, Vice-President and General Manager of Chevrolet, said: "Project Driveway is a terrific way for us to bring fuel cell vehicles to people and the programme is incredible.

"We have done what no other competitor has done...driven a half-million miles with zero petroleum and leaving a carbon footprint of zero."

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/12/26/325303.html

The US fuel cell industry has asked President-Elect Barack Obama to issue a stimulus package to the tune of $1.2 billion to help investment in its infrastructure.

Under the terms of any deal, it is thought that hundreds of fuel cell vehicles will be put on the roads, offer the US high-tech manufacturing capacity and create around 24,000 new jobs.

The bulk of the money ($375 million) would be used to expand learning demonstrations by putting more and advanced experimental systems before governments to seek their approval.

Other major contributions would be to deploying fuel cells ($100 million), supporting a fuelling infrastructure through tax credits, investment tax incentives and federal grants ($65 million), accelerating research ($350 million) and investing in fuel cell transit ($180 million).

http://www.usfcc.com/Fuel_Cell%20_Stimulus_12.18.08.pdf