The U.S. faces fierce competition from other countries. Canada, Japan and Germany are aggressively promoting fuel cell development with tax credits, low-interest loans and grants to support early urchases and drive down costs
Toyota has been investing heavily in fuel cell vehicle research, showcasing a methanol-fueled fuel cell version of its RAV4 sport-utility vehicle in Fall 1997. DiamlerChrysler recently invested CAN$450 million in cash into Canada's Ballard Power Systems for development of fuel cell vehicles. DaimlerChrysler has already unveiled four fuel cell vehicles, the latest being a hydrogen fuel cell passenger vehicle based on the company's A-class car. The company has a fuel cell bus.
Ballard also has fuel cell buses running both in Canada, and on the streets of Chicago. Almost all other automakers researhcing fuel cell cars are incorporating Ballard fuel cell engines. After receiving $30 million from the Government of Canada, Ballard has teamed up with the subsidiary of a New Jersey electric company to commercialize stationary fuel cell cogeneration units.