Premier Gordon Campbell told an international hydrogen and fuel cells conference in Vancouver that the province will provide $45 million towards the production of 20 buses and development of hydrogen fuelling stations in Whistler and Victoria.

He says B.C.‘s goal is to have the fuel-cell buses on the road by the end of 2009, showcasing the province‘s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases.

Campbell says the funding will ensure a hydrogen highway running from Whistler to Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria will become a reality, while B.C. works with U.S. partners to extend the highway to San Diego by 2010.

The government committed in the throne speech that a federal-provincial partnership would invest $89 million for the project, of which $10 million was dedicated in November to the development of a pre-production hydrogen fuel cell bus.

The remaining $34 million will be used by BC Transit to operate the fleet for up to five years.