The New Jersey Department of Transportation is the principal source of funds for the project, as well as providing manpower for project management. Several New Jersey businesses, many of them high-tech and engineering oriented, are providing their expertise and design capability, labor and component equipment as in-kind contributions to the partnership. These companies include H. Power Corporation, MG Industries, Advanced Power Associates, Neocon Technologies, Inc., Fully Independent Resident Solar Technology (FIRST), Inc. NWL Corporation, Diversatech Manufacturing and Wenzel & Company. The Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) at Rutgers University is providing the administrative support, and science and engineering teachers and students from Rutgers, Rowan University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Burlington County College, Cinnaminson High School, Hunterdon County Polytech and Hunterdon Central High School will be participating in the design and operations support. This is the first time that a public/private coalition of this type has been assembled with the capability of tackling an environmental project of this magnitude. And, it represents change from a regulatory approach to solving emission problems through technological innovation.

The competing New Jersey vehicle will be an existing, state owned Solectria Force electric vehicle retrofitted with a hydrogen fuel cell power supply. The new fuel cell will extend the range of the vehicle to 400 miles without refueling, at 45 mph. The hydrogen fuel cell is safe and free of emissions. It produces electric power from clean, renewable, hydrogen fuel at a very high efficiency. The fuel cell can last 30+ years and has no moving parts. The fuel cell produces only heat and pure drinking water as byproducts.

The American Tour de Sol is an annual event organized by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). This 225 mile road rally is both a competition and an educational event designed to promote the development and use of electric vehicles. This year’s tour starts in Waterbury, CT on May 22, 1999, runs through parts of Massachusetts and concludes on May 29 in Lake George, NY. NESEA expects more than 50 vehicles to compete in six different categories, from current production vehicles through one-person vehicles. The New Jersey Venturer will compete in the Hybrid category, for vehicles that combine liquid or gaseous fuels with an electric drive train.