[Brussels / Berlin, 7 May 2009]

FuelCellEurope, the European association of fuel cells developers and users, and VDMA Fuel Cells, the group of manufacturers of systems and components for fuel cells in the German Engineering Federation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the recent Hannover Fair 2009.

This MoU enhances a closer relationship and a common framework and understanding between FuelCellEurope members and the members of VDMA Fuel Cells to foster cooperation between the organisations and contribute to the acceleration of the commercialisation of fuel cell technologies in Germany and Europe as a whole through joint actions such as networking and lobbying for fuel cells.

FuelCellEurope and VDMA Fuel Cells commit themselves to strengthen collaborative efforts: to share information related to industrial, scientific, political and regulatory developments; to promote policies that facilitate access for fuel cell technologies to markets, including the reduction of national entry barriers throughout Europe and the introduction of instruments for market deployment among policy makers, the fuel cell industry, research and the general public.

Jean-Marc Tixhon, Chairman of FuelCellEurope comments: “VDMA is a prominent player in the industrial spheres in Germany. Since a couple of years they have made determinant progress in Germany where the fuel cell industry is now starting to find a credible space amongst sustainable energy options. We at FuelCellEurope are delighted to build on their success and our European outreach to synergise efforts and amplify our impact throughout Europe. More than ever cooperation is a core component to get our messages heard by the many decision makers influencing our technologies and markets. I very much welcome this cooperation. This is an important step to coordinate efforts in Europe and we intend to replicate such agreements with interested partners throughout Europe“.

Michael Bode, Chairman of VDMA Fuel Cells concludes: “FuelCellEurope is constantly strengthening its position as the representative of the European fuel cell industry in Brussels and worldwide. In a more and more European and global market it is vital that the German fuel cell industry cooperates with FuelCellEurope as the European voice of the industry vis a vis the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council. The Memorandum of Understanding is the well suited umbrella for such cooperation. VDMA Fuel Cells as the representative of the German fuel cell industry and FuelCellEurope will jointly act as catalysers to the commercialisation of fuel cells.”

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About FuelCellEurope

FuelCellEurope is the European association of fuel cell producers. As the European association serving fuel cell and hydrogen industries, FuelCellEurope's mission is to: "Accelerate the research and deployment of world-class fuel cell technologies for applications in transport, stationary and portable power."

FuelCellEurope brings together member organizations from 10 European countries, as well as USA, Canada, China and Japan. Members include fuel cell developers, equipment manufacturers, users, energy companies, automotive manufacturers, service companies, academia and research institutions.

For further information, please visit: www.fuelcelleurope.org or contact Patrick Maio by email: p.maio@fuelcelleurope.org or telephone: +32 22 11 34 14

About VDMA Fuel Cells

VDMA Fuel Cells is a group of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) based in Frankfurt, Germany. VDMA Fuel Cells is the industry network of the manufacturers of fuel cell systems and components in Germany with more than 50 main industry players.

VDMA Fuel Cells offers the unique opportunity to both streamline the topical issues of the sector and identify in a common approach the framework for an efficient roll-out of the technology. VDMA Fuel Cells key activities include networking for business opportunities, optimisation of systems and components, lobbying for market deployment strategies, coordination of industry initiatives and public relations.

For further information, please visit: www.vdma.org/brennstoffzellen or contact Johannes Schiel by email: johannes.schiel@vdma.org or telephone : +49 30 30 69 46 21