In conjunction with the FreedomCAR (Cooperative Automotive Research) and Fuel Initiative, President George W. Bush has pledged nearly two billion dollars for fuel cell research. Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors have unveiled fuel cell demonstration vehicles, and all three of these companies have invested heavily in fuel cell research. Fuel cell vehicles are becoming a reality, and the FreedomCAR and Fuel Initiative is intended to make them cost-competitive with conventional vehicles by 2010. Because today's students will be the first generation to feel the impact of fuel cell technology, technology educators must teach them about fuel cells and their potential impact on the society. This article discusses how fuel cells work and the need for manufacturers to overcome several barriers to make fuel cell vehicles commercially viable. (Contains 1 figure.)