Developments in alternative car fuels have led to an increase in the number of patents for fuel cells.

New figures from the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index (CEPGI) show that fuel cells generated more patents in the last three months of 2008 than any other clean energy.

In total, 928 patents were recorded in the US for the final quarter of 2008. This is the highest level ever recorded.

Car manufacturers are leading the way for fuel cell patents. Firms in the automobile sector have taken the top five places for fuel cell patents since 2002, with a further three car firms also featuring in the top 25.

Companies responsible for patents included General Motors and Honda, which both registered patents for fuel cell-powered vehicles.

New fuel cell developments are to be the focus of the upcoming 18th World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Germany.

The event will be held in 2010 and will coincide with the arrival of two fuel cell-powered buses for use in the city of Cologne.


© Adfero Ltd

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