A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell has been installed in a prototype vehicle to assess the potential of fuel cells in vehicular applications. The fuel cell is based on an advanced technology developed at the American Academy of Science known as the LaserCel. Hydrogen is stored on the vehicle in a safe, metal hydride powder form. Hydrogen is released from the hydride by heat supplied from the exhaust of the fuel cell. Inside the cell, hydrogen is reacted with the oxygen from air to form water. Energy from this reaction is released from the cell in the form of electricity which is used to power an electric motor which is coupled to the wheels through a standard transmission.