Auto in excelsis.(Brief Article)

Modine fuel cells will provide 'something different for autos

A Racine company is developing technology that may power a new generation of automobiles without internal combustion engines.

"I think we are ready for something different as a country and as a world," said Donald Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Modine Manufacturing Co.

That something different is a motor vehicle powered by fuel cell technology that uses heat exchangers made by Modine. Modine in June beat five, competitors to join an effort to develop a power source that performs just like the engines in today's cars, but gets better gas mileage with fewer moving parts and less pollution.

Modine is part of Xcellsis Fuel Cell Engines Inc., a joint venture that includes: Ballard Power Systems Inc., a publicly traded …