| MISSISSAUGA,
Ontario--The Plug-In Hybrid Development Consortium (the "Consortium") announced
that Hydrogenics, (Nasdaq:HYGS), a world leading provider of hydrogen and
fuel cell products, joined the Hybrid Consortium to participate in the
development of plug-in hybrid vehicles. The Consortium is made up of a
growing number of automotive suppliers, manufacturers and other organizations
working together to accelerate the commercial production of Plug-in Hybrid
Electric Vehicles, (PHEVs).
"Hydrogenics is pleased to join the
Consortium to explore how plug-in hybrid architecture can be a viable platform
for advancing the affordability and commercialization of hydrogen fuel
cell vehicles. We look forward to joining efforts to deliver cleaner transportation
alternatives that reduce our dependency on petroleum," said John Werderman,
Vice President Business Development for Hydrogenics.
Plug-in hybrid architecture provides
a logical, accelerated path toward the commercialization of fuel cell technology.
This is primarily because an optimized battery-dominant plug-in hybrid
vehicle allows the size of the fuel cell system to be kept to a minimum,
keeping overall system and vehicle cost down. Furthermore, a battery-dominant
fuel cell PHEV allows the best of fuel cell and battery technologies to
co-exist in one vehicle with extended driving range, zero emissions, and
domestically produced fuel.
"We are pleased to welcome Hydrogenics
to the Consortium," said Brian Stokes co-founder of the Consortium and
Manager of Clean Air Transportation for Pacific Gas & Electric (NYSE:PCG
- News). "Its insights and capabilities enrrich our collaborative efforts
to advance PHEV solutions," continued Stokes.
"The Consortium sees this as a valuable
opportunity to demonstrate the flexibility of the plug-in hybrid architecture
and the potential viability of the hydrogen fuel cell as a source of cleanly
generated mobile electric power for a PHEV," added David West, co-founder
of the Hybrid Consortium and VP Marketing, Raser Technologies, Inc. (NYSE
Arca:RZ).
About PHEVs
PHEVs are dual-mode hybrids that
can run on low cost electric fuel or gasoline. Plug-in Hybrids can deliver
dramatic improvements in fuel economy by driving their first 25 to 50 miles
on clean renewable electric fuel for about 1/4 the price of gasoline before
turning on the combustion engine. Many experts contend that wide spread
use of plug-in hybrids could significantly contribute to the reduction
of emissions and dependency on foreign oil.
About Hydrogenics
Hydrogenics Corporation (www.hydrogenics.com)
is a leading global developer of clean energy solutions, advancing the
Hydrogen Economy by commercializing hydrogen and fuel cell products. The
company has a portfolio of products and capabilities serving the hydrogen
and energy markets of today and tomorrow. Hydrogenics, based in Mississauga,
Ontario, Canada, has operations in North America, Europe and Asia.
About The Plug-in Hybrid Development
Consortium.
The Plug-In Hybrid Development Consortium
was organized to help reduce the R&D gap between component suppliers
and OEMs. The Consortium intends to work with automobile manufacturers
by coordinating and accelerating the development of hybrid components and
demonstrate these advanced technologies in "next generation" plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles. Membership is divided into two groups, developers and
advisors.
Plug-In Hybrid Development Consortium
www.hybridconsortium.org

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