Rather than the expected shot in the arm from the Obama administration, backers of ultra-clean hydrogen vehicles got a punch in the gut earlier this month when the federal government recommended a dramatic cut in funds for fuel-cell research.

The proposal, cutting fuel-cell research grants 59 percent, came as industry leaders in a dozen fuel-cell vehicles prepared for a 1,700-mile, 28- stop press junket.

While it would be a stretch to say the Hydrogen Road Tour became something of a funeral procession, the news did dampen the parade.

"We're on the verge of having fuel-cell vehicles as a practical alternative," said Dave Barthmuss, spokesman for General Motors' environment and energy group, as the vehicles rolled toward Sacramento.

The group stopped in West Sacramento on Thursday to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Fuel Cell Partnership. The partnership serves as both a shared research station and a public relations hub educating the public on emerging fuel-cell technology.

Barthmuss and others say they are hopeful that Congress and the Department of Energy will restore funding.

The Obama administration has proposed cutting $100 million from the current-year budget of $169 million to free up resources for technologies that appear more promising.

Major obstacles remain for hydrogen-powered vehicles, even after decades of research into their promise of zero-emission transportation. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said hydrogen production and storage, as well as cell durability and massive infrastructure requirements, are obstacles.

"We asked ourselves, is it likely in the next 10, 15 or 20 years that we will convert to a hydrogen car economy? The answer, we felt, was 'no,' " Chu said during a budget briefing.

The administration proposal makes short-term sense, said Bradley Berman, editor of HybridCars.com.

"All eyes are on better technologies," said Berman. "In that light, it makes total sense. The quest for a robust, powerful auto battery … is immediate. It's right now."

Battery-powered and plug- in hybrid cars seem today's technologies, Berman said.

Those in the hydrogen industry, however, say fuel-cell cars are imminent.

"We're there. We really need state government and federal government to stay in the game," Barthmuss said by telephone as he made his way to Sacramento.

The Hydrogen Road Tour is taking 12 vehicles from seven different automakers from Chula Vista to Canada over nine days.

Toyota is "committed to the technology" regardless of what happens with government funding, said Justin Ward, the advanced powertrain program manager for the Japanese automaker.

But Ward, who is also on the route in a Highlander look-alike FCHV-ADV, said Toyota's concern is that without government support, creation of needed hydrogen fueling stations will lag.

Filling stations are popping up in areas of Northern and Southern California, but there's not enough infrastructure yet to allow the tour to roll without an assist from mobile fueling stations. To date there are 26 fueling stations in California; 10 more are planned.

Even without ubiquitous filling stations, the vehicles have come a long way, Ward said.

Early on, demonstration cars would break down, fall behind traffic or struggle up steep roads, Ward said.

"You didn't know if you could make it from one stop to the next," he said. The 12 vehicles now trekking up California are loaded with gear and moving just fine.

"It really shows how far the vehicles have matured," Ward said.

Hydrogen industry officials said fuel-cell fleets are five to 10 years away.

Hydrogen cars and his call for a hydrogen highway were early items on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's green agenda. On Wednesday he caught up with the tour near Los Angeles to offer his support.

"California set out to prove to the nation and to the world that hydrogen vehicles can use now the roads and the highways," Schwarzenegger said. "They are safe, they are affordable and they're viable."

Mary Nichols, chairwoman of Schwarzenegger's California Air Resources Board, sent a letter asking federal officials to reconsider fuel-cell funding.

"Today it is not possible to know which technologies will be the market winners, but given that our global climate and future mobility are at stake, we must pursue all promising options," Nichols wrote.

Roland Hwang of the Natural Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, agreed with Nichols' assessment.

"It would be premature to pull the plug on any one of (the technologies)," Hwang said. "In the long term, we have to kick the petroleum habit."

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