Air Products' Fueling Station Technology to Provide Hydrogen in Califo

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products' new fueling station technology, featuring faster-fill hydrogen fueling advancements for fleet buses, will provide hydrogen for three Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses in San Jose, California. The three-year program to test the viability of zero-emissions bus (ZEB) technology was officially commissioned today at a kick-off event, as the first VTA zero-emission fuel cell buses were welcomed into operation.

The Air Products' fueling station, at VTA's Cerone Operating Division located at Zanker Road and State Route 237 in San Jose, marks a milestone in technological development regarding vehicle fueling. The fueling station and dispensing unit incorporate the latest equipment design. The station features a dual cryogenic hydrogen compressor, which provides the fastest vehicle fill technology available today.

VTA is also working in collaboration with the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) on this program, which is being conducted to comply with the California Air Resources Board regulations adopted in February 2000 to reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emitted by public transit buses. The Federal Transit Administration and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) will participate in evaluating the demonstration program.

"We've made advances in hydrogen fueling that will be showcased by this bus fleet effort, and VTA should be given credit for taking the lead in transit in California," said Dave McCarthy, commercial manager, Future Energy Solutions at Air Products. "These buses will be on the road daily, demonstrating that hydrogen does provide a practical, reliable, safe and clean energy source for everyday use. We are proud to be part of this exciting program with VTA, which continues to explore the use of hydrogen as a source of energy."

"This landmark program has the potential to reduce our industry's and our nation's reliance on fossil fuels," shared VTA Board Member Forest Williams. "If successful, our efforts will help move this new technology closer to becoming commercialized and available to public transit systems across the country."

To view the full text of this announcement, please visit Air Products' online Press Room at http://www.airproducts.com/PressRoom/CompanyNews/Archived/2005/24Feb05.htm.

***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.