Sacramento Fire District Driving World's First Fuel Cell-Powered Fire Vehicle from DaimlerChrysler

Energy Resource, Jan 24, 2007

ENERGY RESOURCE-24 January 2007-Sacramento Fire District Driving World's First Fuel Cell-Powered Fire Vehicle from DaimlerChrysler(C)2007 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com

The Sacramento, Calif., Metropolitan Fire District will operate the first fuel cell-powered fire response vehicle -- a DaimlerChrysler Mercedes-Benz F-Cell.

Outfitted with decals, lights and sirens, the Fire Service Mercedes-Benz F-Cell joins the first fuel cell-powered police car, also built by DaimlerChrysler, which operates in Michigan with the Wayne State University Police Department. These two vehicles are the first hydrogen fuel-cell powered emergency response vehicles in the world.

Sacramento's Mercedes-Benz F-Cell will be refueled at a BP Energy hydrogen refueling station located at the California Fuel Cell Partnership. The vehicle's entire fuel cell system is housed in the floor, leaving full use of the passenger and cargo spaces. It has a range of approximately 100 miles and a top speed of 85 mph. The electric motor develops 88 hp (65 kW), enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 16 seconds.

The fuel cell stack was developed by DaimlerChrysler cooperation partner, Ballard Power Systems.

"This program exhibits how DaimlerChrysler is taking on the challenge for industries and governments to create viable alternative-fuel solutions," said Mark Chernoby, vice president - Advance Vehicle Engineering, Chrysler Group. "We're pleased to be a driving force in this team effort to develop zero-emissions transportation."

DaimlerChrysler has spent more than $1 billion in fuel cell vehicle research and development. Its fuel cell vehicle fleet also includes medium-duty fuel cell Dodge Sprinter vans and more than 35 Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses, which operate in Europe, the United States, Japan, Australia and Singapore. As part of the world's largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles, DaimlerChrysler has 32 fuel cell vehicles in customer hands within the United States and more than 100 around the world.

Fuel cell vehicles are part of DaimlerChrysler's advanced propulsion technology umbrella, which includes efficient gasoline engines, advanced diesels, Flex-Fuel and hybrid powertrain systems.

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