Kia Motors signs MOU with CEP to promote Fuel Cell EVs

Kia Motor has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help promote Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) with members of the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP).

The company said that as part of its global activities to prepare commercialization of fuel cell vehicles, it intends to join the Clean Energy Partnership in 2011.

The parties agreed to negotiate respective terms for participation.

The National Innovation Programme was set up by the German Federal Government together with stakeholders from various industry sectors and academia to support the market preparation of fuel cell technology in Germany.

The combined budget for the Programme amounts to EUR1.4bn and covers the period 2007-2016.

CEP chairman Patrick Schnell said with Kia coming on board, they would gain another strong partner from the automotive industry and they believe this can advance the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles.

Last January, the company has signed a MOU with four Northern European countries to operate a test fleet of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) in the European market.