Abstract:In recent years, pressure to reduce vehicular emissions and energy use has intensified. One response that has risen to the forefront is fuel cell technology. Fuel cells are unusually promising. Not only do they provide the potential for reducing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy use, but they also provide essentially the same performance attributes of today's internal combustion engine vehicles – plus they provide the potential for cost-effectively adding even more accessories to vehicles. The principal remaining uncertainties are cost and fuel choice. Fuel cells are potentially attractive to both consumers and vehicle manufacturers. If costs become competitive, as many believe they will, and if the fuel issues can be resolved, fuel cells could become the dominant propulsion technology for vehicles in the not-so-far-off future.

The objective of the workshop is to provide the best independent infonnation on FCV technology and policy. The workshop is organized and taught by ITS-Davis researchers, with assistance from the Union of Concerned Scientists and industry representatives. It is targeted at managers and analysts with interest and responsibilities related to fuel cell vehicles, but limited knowledge of the technology.

A wealth of course materials on Understating Fuel Cell Vehicles has been prepared for participants. I am pleased to share with you this Handbook on Understanding Fuel Cell Vehicles. And I wish you a constructive and continuing learning experience.

Note:The "authors" of this handbook are the editors.