Ford Delivers First Fuel Cell Cars to Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program

Governor Schwarzenegger, of California, is focused on delivering a "Hydrogen Highway" up the coast of his state, a series of

Vancouver will be initiating a program that reduces the cost of monthly parking for owners of certain hybrid and diesel-powered vehicles, initiated by Mayor Larry Campbell. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, Canadian Auto Press)

refueling stations which could conceivably connect through to Vancouver; a plausible destination considering Canada's westernmost metropolis is a mecca of hydrogen fuel cell and alternative fuels development.

As an example of Vancouver's leadership in motivating its citizens to purchase more fuel efficient transportation, the city will be initiating a program that reduces the cost of monthly parking for owners of certain hybrid and diesel-powered vehicles.

"We're starting in June; we're going to do a six month trial, on hybrids, Smart cars, vehicles that have low emissions and high fuel efficiency rates," said Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell. "It's going to be 50 percent reduction in parking if you're driving these types of vehicles. As we look at it, it could be several hundred dollars of savings per year for each vehicle. We're going to look at it over the six months, to see what effect it has, what it costs,

"It's going to be 50 percent reduction in parking if you're driving these types of vehicles," said Mayor Campbell. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, Canadian Auto Press)

although, from my point of view cost is not a factor here, I mean, this is something we have to do."

When asked if other diesels would be included in the program, such as Jeep's Liberty, plus various Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen diesel-powered cars, Mayor Campbell responded, "I'm looking at a vehicle that gets the kind of mileage, and low emissions that that vehicle gets. I mean, here's where we're going; I think diesel, and perhaps even hybrids are the middle transformation to the full fuel cell, so, we'll have to set the standards as to what sort of mileage they (other diesel-powered cars) get, but right now the ones that we recognize are certainly the hybrids and smart car."