The zero emissions Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell made a fitting Vancouver debut at the recent Globe 2008's Auto Future Tech Summit.
GM’s Canadian engineering centre is currently building these Equinox fuel cells as part of the world's largest fuel cell vehicle fleet.
"Fuel cells and the electrification of the vehicle have the potential to literally change the way the world drives," said Beth Lowery, GM vice president, environment, energy and safety policy. "The Equinox fuel cell uses no petroleum, has zero emission and the only thing coming out of the tailpipe is water."
A comprehensive deployment plan, dubbed "Project Driveway", is designed to gain comprehensive learning on all aspects of the customer experience and constitutes the first meaningful market test of fuel cell vehicles anywhere.
A variety of drivers, in differing driving environments, will operate these vehicles in three geographic areas where hydrogen refueling is feasible: California, the New York metropolitan area, and Washington, DC.
Enabled by GM's fourth generation fuel cell propulsion system, the Equinox Fuel Cell is a fully functional crossover vehicle, engineered for an 80,000 km life. Importantly, the Equinox Fuel Cell is able to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures.
It is expected to meet all applicable 2007 US federal motor vehicle safety standards, and is equipped with a long list of standard safety features including driver, passenger and roof rail airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), StabiliTrak stability enhancement technology and OnStar, while providing all of the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology.
"At GM we believe that progress will require a diverse range of advanced vehicle technologies," continued Lowery.
"From small fuel efficient cars and biofuels to our commitment to hybrids, with eight hybrids on the road by the end of this year and the future of electric drive vehicles, we are committed to providing consumers with more green choices that meet all their driving needs."
To learn more about GM’s range of green vehicle choices, listen to our podcasts at www.gmgreenbydesignpodcast.ca