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U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today announced that Ford Motor Company will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of an initiative to advance fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. DOE is awarding approximately $6 million in total funding to Ford Motor Company in Dearborn and Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico for projects that will support research and development advancements that will reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and cut harmful carbon emissions.

“Ford is helping lead the nation in the research and development of next-generation technologies that will make our cars cleaner, safer and more fuel efficient,” said Dingell. “Today’s announcement will help accelerate American innovation in clean energy technologies, and keep Michigan and the U.S. at the forefront of developing the cars and trucks of the future.”

Ford Motor Company will use the funding to develop a uniquely American fuel cell catalyst production process that will result in lower cost, higher purity, more active and durable catalysts. 

According to the Energy Department’s 2014 Fuel Cell Technologies Market Report, the hydrogen and fuel cell industry grew by almost $1 billion in 2014, reaching $2.2 billion in sales–up from $1.3 billion in 2013. In addition, more than 50,000 fuel cells were shipped worldwide in 2014. The projects announced today will further develop and advance these clean energy technologies.