Daimler-Benz rolls out pollution-free minivan

LOS ANGELES -- Daimler-Benz has rolled out a high-tech, pollution- free electric minivan with enough range to possibly make it into the California market.

The white, six-passenger van uses advanced fuel cell technology to wring 150 miles out its engine before refueling, the company said.

It's quite an improvement over Daimler-Benz's last model, in which the cargo space was consumed by the fuel cells. This time they are stored under the vehicle's floor.

Top speed is 68 miles per hour. The company showcased the van in Berlin, saying its fuel cell technology is progressing faster than anticipated. A Canadian company, Ballard Power Corp., is the automaker's partner in the project.

"I think it's one of the most significant things that has happened in this decade in regards to zero-emission vehicles," said Larry L. Berg, one of Ballard's directors. "The development of fuel cells has been meteorlike."

Daimler-Benz has not yet said whether it will commercially produce the van or how much it could cost.

But Berg said that a commercial model could be ready by 2003 and be priced to compete with gasoline powered models. The company has reduced the size and weight of the fuel cell engine by 80 percent in two years.

California officials are excited about the development.

"The Daimler-Benz/Ballard hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is of great potential importance in California," James M. Strock, the state's Environmental Protection Agency secretary, said in a statement.

The fuel cells convert natural gas, methanol or hydrogen fuel into electricity without combustion or pollution. They are similar to batteries, but do not run down and provide power as long as fuel is provided.

And California is making a market for this kind of technology.

So far the first cars on the market will get their power from batteries, which offer limited range. A fuel cell vehicle would provide competition and give consumers more choices.

General Motors Corp. will start selling its electric EV1 this fall, which relies on lead acid batteries.

"We believe that is the most proven technology for mass consumer use," said GM spokeswoman Sharon Sarris.

But other technologies also are being explored.

"We're working on fuel cells. That's certainly a viable future technology," she said.

"But we have not announced its use on a vehicle."

Several members of Calstart, the Burbank, Calif.-based advanced transportation consortium, are also working on fuel cells.

"We've always thought that fuel cells were an excellent technology. The fact that (Daimler-Benz) has been able to get this down in size really excites us," said Calstart President Mike Gage.

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