Based on the Mercedes-Benz B-class compact, the new cars are bigger and more powerful, and have a longer range than the 60 A-class fuel-cell cars it has tested around the world since 2004.

The fleet will be launched in 2010 and Singapore will be among the selected cities in which the cars will be tested. The Republic is to get 15 units of the zero-emission cars, a Daimler spokesman said.

As with the previous six fuel- cell A-class cars in Singapore, they will be handed over to companies, institutions and individuals to drive and evaluate.

Daimler is currently looking for a partner to set up hydrogen refuelling stations, as its previous partner, BP, is no longer in the fuel retail business in Singapore, and has closed its second and remaining hydrogen station near Buona Vista.

The spokesman said it will explore the possibility of a partnership with compressed natural gas (CNG) station operators as hydrogen can be made from reforming natural gas. BP is also looking at partnerships with petrol companies and hydrogen manufacturer Air Products, an American company that supplies hydrogen to the chemical industry.

The new fuel-cell Mercs will have lithium-ion batteries, which have higher storage capacity than the previous metal hydride batteries. They will have 700-bar hydrogen tanks, an upgrade from 350 bars, giving them a range of 400km between refuelling.

Currently, only four of the six A-class cars remain in Singapore. Since BP has dismantled its hydrogen kiosks, Daimler will set up its own stop-gap refuelling point at its Mercedes service centre in Pandan Loop.

Daimler expects to start selling its fuel-cell cars from 2015 - three to five years later than it first envisaged. Mr Christian Klein, the project coordinator of Daimler's strategic energy projects and fuel cell market development, said this was because the group had changed its mind about methanol-based fuel-cell cars soon after embarking on the project. The change upset the timetable.

The methanol cars were actually small 'mobile factories' which manufactured hydrogen from methanol onboard. The hydrogen would then be used to mix with oxygen in the air to chemically produce electricity that drives an electric motor to power the car.

'It was decided that instead of this complex process, it was better to make the hydrogen elsewhere and supply it to the car,' Mr Klein said.

However, motorists in Singapore will not have to wait till 2015 to buy a car that will help them cut their fuel bills. There is currently a growing range of CNG vehicles and at least four petrol-electric hybrids on the market.

Later this year, Toyota Motor will introduce a new hybrid, the Lexus GS 450h, followed by the hybrid Camry next year. The latter is expected to be popular because of its spaciousness and price competitiveness.

Daimler will also launch a hybrid Mercedes S-class next year, while Honda Motor is expected to offer another hybrid in 2010 to join its Civic hybrid in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Daimler is working on common international standards for fuel-cell cars with other manufacturers. Besides Daimler, Toyota, Honda and General Motors have their own fuel cell projects. These companies are also expected to test their cars in Singapore, although no details are available as yet.

While hybrids and CNG cars are cleaner and more frugal, fuel- cell cars are seen as the only alternative independent of fossil fuels.

christan@sph.com.sg

GOING FORWARD

Daimler expects to start selling its new fuel-cell car from 2015. It is currently looking for a partner to set up hydrogen refuelling stations in Singapore.

STAYING AHEAD

Motorists in Singapore will not have to wait till 2015 to buy a car that will help them cut their fuel bills as there is a growing range of CNG and hybrid cars on the market.