A new survey of the worldwide fuel cell industry shows year-to-year increases in sales, research spending and employment.

The U.S. Fuel Cell Council (USFCC) spearheaded the survey, and says reported sales were up 7% to the equivalent of $353 million USD. Reported research and development spending was up 11% to $796 million and reported employment specific to the fuel cell industry was up 12% to 7,074 employees. All are 2005 figures as compared to 2004.

The survey released today included members of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council, Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Canada, Fuel Cell Europe, and the Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan and was conducted during the months of September and October, 2006. More than 180 voluntary and anonymous responses were received. To protect individual company data, PricewaterhouseCoopers of Vancouver, Canada, conducted the survey and compiled the results under contract with USFCC.

“This is the only market report of its kind designed for and implemented by the fuel cell industry,” said Robert Rose, Executive Director of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council. “It provides an important benchmark for companies, policy makers and the public.”

“This is the fourth year of USFCC survey, and we are committed to its growth. We invite companies not yet on the survey list to contact us for inclusion,” Rose said.

The council plans to post the full report on its web site, but it was not there at press time.

With more than 110 members, the U.S. Fuel Cell Council is the voice of the American fuel cell industry.

For more information:

www.usfcc.com