Authors(6):

In 1997-98, most of the major automotive companies announced plans to sell 100,000 or more fuel cell vehicles each by 2005. Those plans are being stymied by the daunting challenge of developing and commercializing an entirely new propulsion system, possibly operating on a new fuel. A new approach is needed that targets market niches where the advantages of fuel cells can be exploited and their disadvantages downplayed. This paper explores the potential use of fuel cells in auxiliary power units (APUs) on-board various types of cars and trucks – in luxury passenger vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, contractor trucks, specialized utility trucks, recreational vehicles, refrigerated trucks, and line-haul heavy-duty trucks. We analyze power requirements, volume and weight targets, costs, market sizes, and potential benefits for several fuel cell technologies and fuels. The attributes of market applications are matched with fuel cell attributes to assess the market potential of fuel cell APUs. Although data are insufficient and more analysis is needed, we find that several market applications could play key roles i