THE prospect of a commercially viable fuel cell powered car for fleets has come a step closer with a new record set for a 24-hour endurance run.

Ford tested a P2000 fuel cell vehicle at its Dearborn test track for 24 hours and, stopping only for refuelling, the car achieved an average speed of nearly 58mph.

The actual on-track average speed was 65mph and the car covered a total of 1,390 miles - the greatest distance ever covered by a fuel cell car in one day.

Philip Chizek, brand manager for the Th!nk Technologies fuel cell vehicle programme, said: 'The fact that such advanced technology was able to run on the track for almost 22 hours in a 24-hour period is a huge milestone in fuel cell development.

'By proving that a fuel cell vehicle can withstand the demands of this kind of test, we are one step closer to making these products commercially viable.'