General Motors recently made a big move toward getting the fuel-cell-powered Chevrolet Volt in the hands of consumers by announcing its plan of reshuffling more than 500 fuel cell experts from advanced development labs to “core engineering functions.”

GM said in a statement that the “transition is aimed at expediting the company’s efforts to produce vehicles that displace petroleum through energy diversity.” The company also added that the staff reassignments are an “important milestone as we move fuel cell vehicles closer to future production.”

More than 400 fuel cell engineers will move from labs to GM’s Powertrain Group to begin production engineering of fuel cell systems, a critical step on the way toward making such vehicles a reality. Another 100 will report to GM’s Global Product Development organization to “start integrating fuel cells into future company vehicles.” More than 150 fuel cell scientists and program support will stay in place at GM’s Research and Development center “to continue advanced research in hydrogen storage, fuel cells and program commercialization,” the company said.