GM INCREASES FLEET OF FUEL-CELL VEHICLES

General Motors will triple its test fleet of fuel cell-powered vehicles next year as part of plans to commercialize alternative fuel vehicles. The factory plans to operate a fleet of 40 fuel cell vehicles by 2008 under a research program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. One of the obstacles to commercializing fuel cell vehicles is the lack of refueling stations. GM and Shell are adding a hydrogen refueling station in New York City to establish an "East Coast Hydrogen Corridor," according to a Shell spokesman. A hydrogen station is already operating in Washington, D.C., and there are plans to add a third station between the nation's capital and New York to complete the corridor.