Ford to sell buses that will run on hydrogen

Ford Motor Co., the second-largest US automaker, is beginning production of hydrogen-powered internal-combustion engines that won't emit pollution for use in shuttle buses.

The 6.8-liter, V-10 engines will be installed in E-450 shuttle buses that will be leased to commercial customers, Ford said. The engines produce ``near zero emissions of regulated pollutants and greenhouse gases."

Ford is offering more alternative-fuel vehicles as it comes under criticism for building too many gasoline-guzzling sport-utility vehicles and light trucks. The automaker said earlier yesterday that it will invest $1.84 billion in the United Kingdom over the next six years to improve fuel efficiency.

The state of Florida will lease eight buses this year, and other customers in Florida will take delivery of 12 more buses before 2007, Ford spokesman Nick Twork said. He declined to provide specifics, or identify any other users for the vehicles.

The appeal of hydrogen-powered vehicles is limited by a lack of fueling stations.

Ford last month said it plans to double the number of ``flexible fuel" vehicles that run on ethanol and other gasoline alternatives in the US by 2010. Ford can produce 250,000 such vehicles yearly.