Daimlerchrysler and Singapore authorities today announced a joint programme to step up the development of hydrogen as a fume-free alternative fuel source for vehicles. Testing will begin in 2004, the same year the German-US auto giant experts to begin commercial production of noiseless and non-polluting "green" cars. However, the company believes it will take another seven years before the fuel cell powered cars will be cost competitive.sd The Singapore-based test programme will be part of a global study involving Japan, Europe and the United States.