GM takes a drive into fuel cells

General Motors has invested in a four year development programme to create fuel cells to heat and power homes. GM’s idea is that ultimately fuel cell technology will supplant the internal combustion engine, possibly progressing to sales in the hundreds of thousands by the end of the decade, and it intends to be ahead of the game.

The company already has a prototype designed for powering trucks and cars, but for the stationary generation market it is looking to form a pertnership with one of the companies already developing a fuel cell. It has not yet selected a partner – logical choices would include Plug Power, Intrnational Fuel Cells (a UT subsidiary) and Ballard Power Systems, all North American companies already active in the field, but it has formed a partnership with General Hydrogen and Quantum Technologies, two companies already making fuel cells or parts for fuel cells on transport related projects.