DaimlerChrysler Delivers First Fuel Cell-Powered Police Car

"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."

The WSU Police Department F-Cell vehicle, which will serve as a learning laboratory for students in WSU College of Engineering Alternative Energy Technology, the nation's first master's-degree program in alternative energy, will be refueled at NextEnergy's new hydrogen fueling station.

DaimlerChrysler has spent more than $1 billion in fuel cell vehicle research and development, and has accumulated the data associated with having logged more than 1.2 million zero-emissions miles. The DaimlerChrysler fuel cell vehicle fleet is diverse -- in addition to several research vehicles, it includes medium-duty fuel cell Dodge Sprinter vans and more than 35 Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses, which currently operate in Europe, the U.S., Japan, Australia and Singapore.

The entire fuel cell system of the Mercedes F-Cell is in the floor of the vehicle, 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 stack has been developed by the DaimlerChrysler cooperation partner, Ballard Power Systems.