FuelCell Energy history

In 1983 the Canadian company Ballard began research into fuel cells, and was to become a major player in the manufacture of stacks and systems for stationary and transport applications in later years.

In 1990, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) introduced the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate.

In 1992 Klein founded another company, Electro Energy Inc., to develop batteries for the military.

Then, in 1996, a 2 megawatt Direct FuelCell power plant went online in Santa Clara, California, connected to the grid of the Santa Clara municipal electric system.

1997: Baker steps down as CEO, replaced by Jerry Leitman.

In 1998 the company successfully demonstrated its nickel-zinc batteries for use in electric cars, bicycles and scooters, wheelchairs, trolling motors, and lawn motors. As a result, the company found its focus increasingly divided, leading to the battery business being spun off as a separate company, Evercel, Inc. in 1999.

――――, "FuelCell Energy of Torrington, Conn., Cuts 25 Percent of Jobs to Save Money," Waterbury Republican-American, May 2, 2003.

In the fall of 2004 it wa s reported to have $170 million in cash and a few weeks later ann ounced that it planned to make a private placement of $75 million in stock, the money earmarked for further development and commercial ization of its fuel cell products.

In 2005 the company branched into a different area of fuel cell technology, teaming up with Pennsylvani a-based Air Products and Chemicals as part of a Department of Energy project to develop a new type of pumping station for hydrogen-powered cars.

Fuel cells began to become commercial in a variety of applications in 2007, when they started to be sold to end-users with written warranties and service capability, and met the codes and standards of the markets in which they were sold.

These units began to be installed in homes from 2009, and more than 13,000 such units have been installed to date.

Fuel cell cars are currently only available for lease; these vehicles are being made available by manufacturers to gain experience ahead of a commercial launch planned from 2015.