Fuel-Cell Future Less Grey

It's smog, not fog surrounding six of the world's most air polluted cities: Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Cairo, New Delhi, Shanghai and Beijing. But that could change with the introduction of 46 fuel-cell powered buses that would provide urban transportation and clean the air by cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. The Global Environment Facility announced the five-year, $60-million program on Oct. 1, 2001.

Smog is produced when heat and sunlight react with the pollutants released from gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. Also known as ground-level ozone, smog can inflame breathing passages, which affects the lungs' working capacity, and is especially harmful to children, seniors, asthmatics and people suffering from heart and lung conditions.

A fuel-cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. Fuel-cell vehicles fuelled by hydrogen emit only water vapour, so the buses will help alleviate health risks and protect against global warning.
enn.com Oct. 3, 2001