General Motors yesterday unveiled plans for "Project Driveway", a field market research project that will place 100 hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles with customers across the United States. A diverse cross-section of customers with varied driving environments will be chosen to participate in California, New York and DC, with a target for delivery in fall 2007.
The fuel-cell vehicles are based on the Chevy Equinox crossover, and aside from the alternative powertrain, include all the usual features.
Hydrogen power is a significant development in that its only emissions are given off in the form of pure water. One significant problem this poses in cold-weather climates is that the "exhaust water" freezes, making this solution a bit problematic when the thermometer dips below freezing. But GM claims that its Equinox Fuel Cell vehicle will operate in cold climates. The development, manufacturing and testing of the vehicles is taking place at three GM facilities in the Canadian province of Ontario, so they had better work or they'll never make it out of the factory.
(Read the complete press release after the jump)
[Source: GM via AutoblogGreen]
Chevrolet To Launch World's Largest Fuel Cell Vehicle Fleet
More Than 100 to Debut in 2007 in First Meaningful Market Test of Fuel Cell Vehicles
SAN DIEGO – General Motors committed to building the world's largest fuel cell vehicle fleet today by announcing its next-generation fuel cell vehicle – the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell.
GM will build more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and will begin placing them with customers in the fall of 2007, as part of a comprehensive deployment plan dubbed "Project Driveway." Designed to gain comprehensive learnings on all aspects of the customer experience, Project Driveway constitutes the first meaningful market test of fuel cell vehicles anywhere. A variety of drivers – in differing driving environments – will operate these vehicles and refuel with hydrogen in three geographic areas: California, the New York metropolitan area and Washington D.C.
"General Motors is demonstrating its commitment to hydrogen fuel cells as the answer for taking the automobile out of the environmental debate and reducing our dependence on petroleum," said Larry Burns, GM vice president, research & development and strategic planning. "The Equinox Fuel Cell is powered by GM's most advanced fuel cell propulsion system to date, and demonstrates an important milestone on our pathway to automotive-competitive fuel cell propulsion technology development."
Enabled by GM's fourth-generation fuel cell propulsion system, the Equinox Fuel Cell is a fully-functional crossover vehicle, engineered for 50,000 miles of life. Importantly, the Equinox Fuel Cell is able to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures during its 50,000-mile life. It is expected to meet all applicable 2007 U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and is equipped with a long list of standard safety features including driver and passenger frontal air bags and roof rail side-impact air bags; anti-lock braking system (ABS); StabiliTrak stability enhancement technology and OnStar, while providing all of the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
"The Equinox Fuel Cell is a real-world vehicle with real-world performance," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "The fuel cell technology is seamlessly integrated into a uniquely styled crossover vehicle that is distinctively Chevrolet. The Equinox Fuel Cell joins Chevrolet's family of advanced gas-saving and alternative fuel vehicles."
The Project Driveway market test will provide comprehensive insight into all aspects of the customer experience, including reaction to the exciting, smooth and quiet performance of a fuel cell vehicle, and refueling with clean hydrogen gas. "These learnings will directly influence future fuel cell vehicle generations and ultimate market acceptance," Peper said. "With Chevrolet being GM's global volume brand, it makes sense that Chevy will lead GM's fuel cell vehicle commercialization charge."
About General Motors Corporation
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world's leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tri-Bob @ Sep 18th 2006 8:56AM
Very interesting, but 50,000 miles... then what?
Aya @ Sep 18th 2006 9:01AM
"General Motors is demonstrating its commitment to hydrogen fuel cells as the answer for taking the automobile out of the environmental debate and reducing our dependence on petroleum,"
Just like they demonstrated with the Ev1!! Remember Who Killed the Electric Car? Is really a must see.
Dr. Woo @ Sep 18th 2006 9:20AM
Whoa, HOLD THE PHONE!
When did the Equinox get good-looking?
Stone @ Sep 18th 2006 9:42AM
Yeah....is that the updated Equinox for '07, or is this a fuel cell only version?
ROYCFE HIGDON @ Sep 18th 2006 9:57AM
I THINK THAT GM SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR TAKING THIS STEP TOWARD REPLACING GASOLINE AS THE FUEL...AFTER ALL, GASOLINE IS TERRABLE ON THE ENVIORMENT AND IT IS
FINATE....THIS IS WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE FINANCED 30 YEARS AGO. ROYCE HIGDON
brian @ Sep 18th 2006 10:23AM
Just where will these "testers" get their hydrogen fuel? They won't be driving far from that source.
stbham @ Sep 18th 2006 11:18AM
If the auto industry plans on pulling themselves out of financial straits, this better work. They need a change in technology to spur sales kind of like High Def TV. Otherwise I will hang on to my car until it collapses in the driveway. My next auto will divert cash from the Middle East by either not using gas or getting 30MPG in the city or better.
RP @ Sep 18th 2006 1:05PM
Here's how it ended last time: :-(
http://www.ev1.org/
shiznannigan @ Sep 18th 2006 1:27PM
Aya.... Ya know Toyota made some electric cars around the same time the EV-1 was out. Where are they now? Oh yeah, Toyota did the exact same thing with them as GM did.
They were NEVER INTENDED to be long-term vehicles, only a test-bed for EV technology. That's why they were lease-only.
RP @ Sep 18th 2006 2:30PM
Toyota didn't crush all of their RAV4 EVs -- our neighbor is still happily driving his... what, 6 or 7 years later?
Marc @ Sep 18th 2006 4:12PM
I also still see Toyota EVs driving around. But, of course, on Autoblog, people will use any excuse to bash Toyota.
I'm no GM fan. But this is a decent step. Toyota and Honda have already been leasing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Cali to public and private parties. But the numbers have been relatively low. I dont know why GM thinks they need 100 of them to test, but whatever. It beats BMW's lame, half-assed effort of putting hydrogen hybrids in its 7 series cars, knowing full well the drivers will only fill up with gasoline. If you're gonna test market, go all the way and test a fuel cell. Nice job GM. But to echo others, let's not have this turn into another EV1 fiasco.
doglet @ Sep 18th 2006 6:42PM
first off, GM invested 1 billion dollars in the EV1 program as a learning tool. they took a look at what they learned and decided that an EV could not be done in the current market place so they moved on.
the reason why the ev1 was sent to the wrecking yard instead of sold to people who wanted to buy them was because it would have cost GM millions to keep 100 customers happy. by federal law a carmaker has to provide replacement parts for 10 years, but many of the parts on the EV2 where expensive prototype and they had no way to produce more.
how much do you think people would be loving their EV1 when a brake disc costs $5k? there is no evil adgenda to kill ev, just stupid hippies who blame the company that gave it to them in the first place.
Gidge @ Sep 18th 2006 7:00PM
(For all wondering that's an Equinox w/ Torrent lights and some custom bodywork)
ERNEST @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:41PM
G.M. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK , PLEASE
GL Adhand @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:06PM
Ladies and Gentlemen...you don't really believe a vehicle with this technology is actually going to be allowed into mass production in your lifetime, do you? As always, there is the "Big Boys Club" to consider - they will determine if it is in their best interests, then accordingly, give it their "yea" or "nay". That "Club" consists of the top CEO's of the top industries around the world, and their minion politico's in every country. Their business plan is limited to greed and corruption...it has absolutely nothing to do with the welfare of the US or the citizens. If all the "Big Boys" can profit, it will progress, otherwise it will be relegated to the history books. I don't think GM can afford to alienate more than a few members in the "Club". Same story, different decade...
mark Sheiman @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:18PM
Hey GM, How about a real Test. Local Delivery,Taxi-cab Service,or Police. Since it would be a real testing of the concept. I wouldn't mind, and can give a HEAVY DUTY test.
William Csenteri @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:19PM
I am a GM retiree with 36 years of service with the finest auto manufacturer in the world. The hand writing is on the wall, the American public is sick and tired with high cost of foreign oil. The sooner GM steps up to the plate and offers the American public with an alternate fuel the better.
I am also a GM stock holder, don't let this "Project
Driveway" (FUEL CELL) die in some executive conference room.
BUTCH @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:43PM
DON'T FORGET O.P.E.C. THEY WOULD PROBABLY GO BROKE IS EVERYONE STOPPED DEPENDING ON THEIR OIL. AND THEIR NOT ABOUT TO LET THAT HAPPEN. NEITHER WILL BUSH.
Jeff Beech @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:56PM
What energy source is being used to produce hydrogen fuel?
How much of this energy source (in terms of BTUs, preferably) is required to produce 1000 BTUs of hydrogen fuel?
I think the answers to these two questions might quickly put "project driveway" into the category of "great idea". or "just more silly hype."
Bud Feinstein @ Sep 22nd 2006 4:16PM
Why is GM wasting all this money on a technology that has little or no infrastructure and, when it (eventually) exists, will be costly to maintain and still require fossil fuels to supply (most hydrogen is produced using fossil fuels). Tesla Motors ( http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1 )has an EV car TODAY that is 100 percent electric, 0 to 60 in 4 seconds, awesome top speed, 250 mile range -- and the "re-fueling infrastructure" is everywhere, starting with your house. Oh -- and it looks great too. Screw GM's latest "pie-in-the-sky" nightmare solution -- it's just another nod to the oil companies to keep us chained to their cartels. And since Bush has heartily endorsed the plan, I think it bears an even more jaundiced eye to examine it. Best of all, the TESLA is ready to be purchased NOW.