Executive Summary Fuel cells have been around since 1842@ when Sir William Grove first experimented with the technology. The progression of the technology in the marketplace has been stalled for the last 160 years. In the 1960s@ NASA adopted the use of fuel cells to power some of its early Gemini and Apollo spacecraft. General Motors produced the Electrovan in the mid- 1960s@ but that vehicle never made it past the concept stage. For almost 40 years@ fuel cells remained in the research labs. However@ things recently are changing. It is hard to miss all the news that has been released about fuel cells for both stationary and transportation uses. During the past few years@ several fuel cell powered concept vehicles have been developed. These have been shown to the public at the automotive shows and have participated in the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CFCP). Some fuel cell powered buses have been driving around both the United States and Europe@ but the consumer has not been able to purchase a fuel cell powered vehicle. However@ that may change in the next few years. Several automakers are planning to produce limited numbers of fuel cell vehicles. These vehicles will be leased in very small numbers in specific areas where hydrogen fuel can be obtained. Certain areas in California@ the U.S.A@ and Tokyo@ Japan have the refueling facilities to meet the needs of these vehicles. Toyota@ Honda@ and Nissan have stated that they will offer fuel cell powered vehicles by the end of 2003. DaimlerChrysler is scheduled to release a fleet of fuel cell vehicles in 2003 in Europe and the United States. Ford plans to produce a small number of fuel cell powered vehicles in 2004. Other manufacturers such as Hyundai appear to be on the borderline as to when they will first sell or lease fuel cell vehicles. General Motors continues to report that it will not market a fuel cell powered vehicle until 2008 or 2010; however@ market pressure may make GM react sooner. The automotive industry reacts to consumer demand. If Honda@ Toyota@ Nissan@ Ford@ and DaimlerChrysler are successful in marketing their fuel cell powered vehicles@ it is doubtful that the remainder of the industry will hold to their original time frames. The good news is that after all these years@ the road-worthy fuel cell powered vehicle finally may be available in 2003?C 2004. Consumer demand@ the status of the world economy@ fossil fuel supplies@ and the world's attitude toward clean@ emissions-free air will dictate the success or failure of the fuel cell in the marketplace. Many challenges exist in the commercialization of fuel cell powered vehicles. The one that is most commonly mentioned is the lack of a hydrogen fuel infrastructure. However@ this was the same problem that occurred when@ more than 100 years ago@ the horseless carriage came into being. Gasoline stations popped up everywhere because there was a demand. Hydrogen refueling stations will do the same when the demand is present. Many automakers are working on hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines that may bring hydrogen-refueling stations online in a shorter time frame. The cost of fuel cells also is stated as a hindrance. However@ one must realize that all concept vehicles are expensive and thus are hand-made vehicles. Most people would not comprehend the cost of the one-of-a-kind vehicles shown at auto shows. When mass-production techniques are set up@ the cost of producing the parts and the total vehicle will be reduced. There is nothing in a fuel cell powered vehicle that cannot be mass-produced using current manufacturing technologies. At present@ some items are produced by hand@ one at a time@ but that is because the demand for more units does not exist. Again@ when items are produced in small quantities@ their prices generally are higher. Examine the cost of the low-production-number aircraft and spacecraft that are flying today. Experimental and one-of-a-kind vehicles are notoriously expensive. Fuel cell stacks are being improved and thus are undergoing their own development. Automakers are testing their fuel cell vehicles under all conditions to ensure that they can mass-produce a reliable and cost-effective vehicle. Fuel cell powered vehicles of all types@ powered by various fuels (e.g.@ hydrogen@ ethanol) have been undergoing testing under the California Fuel Cell Partnership. Both cold-weather and hot-weather endurance testing have been conducted on fuel cell powered vehicles. Fuel cell powered vehicles have traversed the United States and are on tour in Europe. Challenges have been encountered@ but engineers have dealt with the situations. The biggest non-engineering challenge to the future of fuel cell powered vehicles is acceptance by consumers. Electric vehicles offer the only currentday zero emissions vehicles. Fuel cell powered electric vehicles can offer the range@ performance@ and continuous operation that consumers expect from their vehicles. Fuel cell powered vehicles also reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Major automakers have invested billions of dollars in the technology; however@ without consumer demand@ fuel cell powered vehicles may never see mass production. Engineers and technological advances can solve the problems of cost@ mass production@ safety@ and reliability. Technology and entrepreneurs can solve the refueling infrastructure challenges. The unanswered billion-dollar question is whether or not consumers will willingly purchase fuel cell powered vehicles.