Nissan to Have FCV Technology by 2005

Nissan Motor Co. (Tokyo, Japan) expects to have technology for fuel cell vehicle production by 2005. A company representative said it would take a decade to start mass producing fuel-cell vehicles until they are priced reasonably and profitable at the same time.

Nissan also said it would expand the use of ultra-low emission vehicle (U-LEV) technology in up to 80 percent of its cars by the end of its three-year restructuring plan in March 2003.

Eleven of the 15 new models will be using the U-LEV technology, where exhaust emissions are reduced to 75 percent or more below the levels mandated under the nation's exhaust regulations of 2000.