Automotive fuel cells are currently one of the most viable technologies capable of achieving a significant long-term reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from motor vehicles and relieving us from our dependence on foreign oil.

Established in 2008, the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation is a Burnaby, B.C.-based joint-venture private company owned by Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Ballard Power Systems Inc to develop fuel cell stacks for automotive applications.

The Fuel Cell Alliance, formed in 1997 by Daimler, Ford and Ballard, has solidified its technological prowess in automotive fuel cell technology. Today, Daimler and Ford are the only two automotive companies jointly developing fuel cell technology thereby avoiding the duplication of R&D efforts, and have more than 200 fuel cell vehicles on the road.

Following a successful 10-year Alliance, Ballard sold its automotive fuel cell assets to Daimler and Ford in 2008. These assets are now resident in AFCC, which is now responsible for the research and product development of automotive fuel cells, leading the path to sustainable mobility.

Today, AFCC employs approximately 200 people who are committed to the commercialization of this technology in automotive applications. As the birthplace of the automotive fuel cell, British Columbia is the natural home for AFCC with a concentration of fuel cell experts in the province, the available infrastructure and the province's commitment to fuel cell research and innovation.