ANN ARBOR, MI-In August, DaimlerChrysler unveiled the first medium-duty fuel cell vehicle for commercial use in the United States. The vehicle, a modified Dodge Sprinter van, is now in regular service as part of the United Parcel Service (UPS) fleet in Southeastern Michigan. It is the second of four fuel cell vehicles slated for regular UPS use. The first vehicle was a modified F-Cell car, a fuel-cell-powered Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan, which is still in use with the carrier.
The vehicles are part of a joint effort between DaimlerChrysler, UPS and the U. S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency intended to demonstrate and develop fuel cell vehicle technology and a hydrogen fuel infrastructure. According to DaimlerChrysler, the collaboration represents the first commercial use of a fuel cell vehicle in the United States.