Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc

Irvine-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. said it would develop and install compressed natural gas fuel systems for General Motors Corp.'s full-size pickup trucks through the 2005 model year. The contract extends Quantum's existing natural gas programs for GM full-size pickups, and it could add $8 million to $10 million in revenue a year. The truck conversions are done at Quantum's Lake Forest facility.

Irvine-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide said it would develop a hydrogen-burning Ford Escape Hybrid vehicle for the Army as part of a hydrogen fuel demonstration project. Quantum, a hydrogen fuel systems specialist, said it would develop an on-board fuel storage system, fuel injection system and electronic controls to convert the gasoline engine in the gas-electric Escape Hybrid to an engine that runs on hydrogen. Details of the contract were not revealed. -- John O'Dell

An Irvine fuel systems firm has received approval in Europe to sell a pressurized fuel tank that will extend the driving range of experimental hydrogen-powered cars. The carbon fiber and epoxy tank from Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. will give a 60% boost in range to hydrogen-using fuel-cell cars being developed by a variety of automakers and hailed by President Bush as the zero-emission, oil-independent passenger vehicles of the future. General Motors Corp., which holds a 19.

Irvine-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. said it would develop and install compressed natural gas fuel systems for General Motors Corp.'s full-size pickup trucks through the 2005 model year. The contract extends Quantum's existing natural gas programs for GM full-size pickups, and it could add $8 million to $10 million in revenue a year. The truck conversions are done at Quantum's Lake Forest facility.

Irvine-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide said it would develop a hydrogen-burning Ford Escape Hybrid vehicle for the Army as part of a hydrogen fuel demonstration project. Quantum, a hydrogen fuel systems specialist, said it would develop an on-board fuel storage system, fuel injection system and electronic controls to convert the gasoline engine in the gas-electric Escape Hybrid to an engine that runs on hydrogen. Details of the contract were not revealed. -- John O'Dell

The Army, which must haul its fuel with it when it takes the field, has hired an Irvine-based fuel systems developer to build a prototype special operations vehicle that would run quietly on a hydrogen-powered fuel cell. The contract calls for Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. to develop an all-terrain vehicle over the next 10 months. A six-month field test would follow. The size of the contract was not revealed.

To help foster development of hydrogen fuel, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has approved a $4-million pilot program to convert a fleet of Toyota Prius hybrids into hydrogen-powered vehicles by this time next year. The Prius project is intended to push development of a hydrogen fuel infrastructure by providing more vehicles that use the fuel, said Chung Liu, deputy executive director of the regional air district.

President Bush's plan to spend $1.2 billion to further hydrogen-fuel research probably would help speed up development of fuel-cell vehicles and provide California businesses with increased opportunities to profit from the new technologies, industry experts say. Although automotive fuel-cell development has been in the works for at least the last five years, the president's proposal to more than double federal funding for hydrogen-fuel research is seen as critical to increasing momentum.

Hidden amid a sea of asphalt, heavy machinery and city buildings is Riverside's only fueling station where the stench of gasoline is a thing of the past. The station dispenses what city officials and the South Coast Air Quality Management District hope will be the fuel of the future: hydrogen. Riverside's hydrogen station is part of a project sponsored by the AQMD to test the practicability of hydrogen fueling stations and hydrogen-powered cars on California's roads.

The driver looks through a vast, sloped windshield that covers space usually taken up by an engine. There is no dashboard, instrument panel, steering wheel or pedals -- just a set of adjustable footrests. All controls are electronic, so that the driver twists a pair of handles to go, moves them to turn and squeezes them to stop. This, though, is no Hollywood moviemaker's fantasy car. It is General Motors Corp.'

An Irvine fuel systems firm has received approval in Europe to sell a pressurized fuel tank that will extend the driving range of experimental hydrogen-powered cars. The carbon fiber and epoxy tank from Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. will give a 60% boost in range to hydrogen-using fuel-cell cars being developed by a variety of automakers and hailed by President Bush as the zero-emission, oil-independent passenger vehicles of the future. General Motors Corp., which holds a 19.