Members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership will be highlighting hydrogen as an alternative fuel during “Road Rally 2005: Fueling the Future.” Representatives from CaFCP member companies will be on hand to answer pressing questions about the future of hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The event will bring nearly 20 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, a hydrogen reformer, a mobile refueler and numerous other technologies to San Francisco Bay Area communities including Martinez, Berkeley, Oakland, San Jose, San Carlos and San Francisco from September 29 through October 1. Bay Area residents will have an opportunity to experience these technologies by testing hydrogen FCVs, watching vehicles refuel and learning how hydrogen is made.

Media are invited to join CaFCP at any of the locations. However, a media “sneak peek” at Road Rally will occur on September 29, 2005 at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley at 1pm. Media will be able to ask questions to representatives from leading auto manufacturers, energy companies, government agencies, fuel cell technology companies and transit agencies. Media will also have the opportunity to test drive vehicles from eight different auto manufacturers.

"The fastest way to bridge from these kinds of fuel cell demonstrations to actual commercial viability is through collaboration. And the CaFCP illustrates the kind of teamwork required by industry and governments to help prime the pump and facilitate the transition to viable hydrogen-related technologies," said Al Weverstad, 2005 CaFCP chairperson and an executive director at General Motors' Public Policy Center.

This year’s Road Rally focuses on the hydrogen fueling stations located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Nearly 100 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have been placed on California’s roads. Six hydrogen fueling stations ring the San Francisco Bay Area and are a part of a growing network of stations located in both Northern and Southern California.

“As we move closer to the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles, it’s important for California communities to be familiar and comfortable with technology,” said Catherine Dunwoody, executive director of CaFCP. “Road Rally gives local residents the opportunity to experience the technology first-hand before it is out on the market.”

RSVP for the media event is required.

For more information on Road Rally 2005 locations, visit our web site www.roadrally2005.org or contact Meghan Blake at (916) 375-8034 or mblake@cafcp.org.

San José—On September 30, 2005, Dr. Ashok G. Kaveeshwar, Administrator of the US Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), will speak at San José State University in conjunction with the California Fuel Cell Partnership’s annual Road Rally event. In front of nearly 20 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Dr. Kaveeshwar will address transportation issues that affect the Silicon Valley.

According to RITA Administrator Kaveeshwar, “The California Fuel Cell Partnership provides a great example of the kind of collaborative effort that is needed to move hydrogen fuel cells from the laboratory to streets and neighborhoods across the country. The development of a safe, hydrogen-powered transportation system promotes the Administration’s goals of improving mobility, increasing fuel efficiency and promoting environmental stewardship.”

RITA, created under the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act, is designed to effectively coordinate and manage the Department of Transportation’s research portfolio and expedite the implementation of cross-modal, innovative technologies.

“Road Rally 2005: Fueling the Future” brings hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, a mobile refueler, a hydrogen reformer, a fuel cell stack model and numerous other technologies to the Bay Area for a three-day event starting in Berkeley on September 29 and ending at the Presidio in San Francisco on October 1. Members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership will highlight hydrogen as an alternative fuel during the event and will be on hand to answer pressing questions about the future of hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Bay Area residents will have an opportunity to experience these technologies by test- driving hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, watching vehicles refuel or learning about how hydrogen is made.

Media are invited to join California Fuel Cell Partnership at any of the locations. A media “sneak peek” at Road Rally will occur on September 29, 2005 at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley at 1:00 PM. Media will be able to direct questions to representatives from leading auto manufacturers, energy companies, government agencies, fuel cell technology companies and transit agencies. There will also be an opportunity for media to test drive vehicles from eight different auto manufacturers. RSVP for the event is required.

Sacramento—On Thursday, September 29, Dr. Alan Lloyd, Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) will kick off the California Fuel Cell Partnership’s annual Road Rally on the West steps of the Capitol at 8:00AM. Cabinet Secretary Terry Tamminen, (former Secretary of Cal/EPA), plans to join Dr. Lloyd as they highlight the importance of the Hydrogen Highway Network and a sustainable transportation future for California.

CaFCP has 32 member companies, including automotive manufacturers, energy providers, government agencies, fuel cell technology companies and transit agencies, who work together toward the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Nine fuel cell vehicles will be on display during the kick-off event.

Following the kick-off, “Road Rally 2005: Fueling the Future” will travel from Sacramento to the Bay Area for a three-day event, stopping in Martinez, Berkeley, Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco. Bay Area residents will have an opportunity to experience these technologies first hand by taking the cars for a test drive on September 29 at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley and at the Presidio’s Main Post on October 1. CaFCP members will also bring a hydrogen reformer, a mobile refueler, a fuel cell model and many other displays to Road Rally. The event will highlight the hydrogen stations already in place around the Bay Area.

Media are invited to join CaFCP at any of the locations. However, a media “sneak peek” at Road Rally will occur on September 29, 2005 at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley at 1PM. Media will be able to ask questions to representatives from leading auto manufacturers, energy companies, government agencies, fuel cell technology companies and transit agencies. There will also be an opportunity for media to test drive vehicles from eight different auto manufacturers. RSVP for the event is required.