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Fuel Cell Delivery Vehicle Testing Program
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
EPA, DaimlerChrysler, and UPS have successfully concluded a major partnership, the Fuel Cell Delivery Vehicle Testing Program. This joint initiative represented the first time that efficient, zero-emission fuel cell vehicles were introduced as a part of a commercial package deliver fleet in North America.
Together, the three organizations have developed valuable information supporting further development of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure. The program also became part of the Department of Energy, "National Hydrogen Learning Demonstration" program. The Partnership was very successful in placing the fuel cell Sprinter van into year-round, daily commercial package delivery service. In so doing, we demonstrated acceptable vehicle performance during operation in winter conditions. The Partnership also contributed to the improvement of hydrogen fueling equipment and reliability, necessary steps toward achieving commercially viable hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
Individually, each organization exceeded its goals for the program. DaimlerChrysler has been able to evaluate the current generation of fuel cell vehicle and system technologies through very significant mileage accumulation under rigorous real-world conditions. UPS now better understands how to integrate such a vehicle into its normal operations, in ways that meet its customers’ needs. In the case of EPA, we developed first-hand technical experience with fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fueling infrastructure, supporting future work to encourage clean, efficient transportation technologies.
