Fuel cells developing rapidly

I love articles like this one about GM accelerating development of a non-fossil fuel burning vehicle. I always wonder: is it competition (Honda, et al), threat of supply (Iraq war, Yukos problems, etc.), or just what structural changes would cause GM to move faster like this? The article from the aptly titled "Fuel Cell Today" is here: Fuel Cell Today - GM Sequel: Reinvented Automobile No Longer Just a Dream. The snip:

The technologies embodied in Sequel, such as fuel cells, by-wire and wheel hub motors, have developed so fast that GM has been able to double the range and halve the 0-60 mph acceleration time, compared to current fuel cell vehicles, in less than three years, according to Larry Burns, GM vice president of research and development and planning.

Posted by Grayson at January 10, 2005 07:31 AM