Chevy Equinox, GM's Hydrogen Car of the Future - 1/17/08

General Motors recently introduced a new fuel cell prototype using the popular Chevy Equinox frame and body. They are gutting the engine, transmission, and gas tank and replacing them with an electric motor derived from the EV1 electric car.  Unlike the two seat EV1 electric car of “Who Killed the Electric Car?” the Equinox SUV might be something you actually want to drive.  Instead of only a battery as found in the EV1, the Equinox will be powered primarily by a hydrogen fuel cell. Learn more about hydrogen fuel cells

About 170 years ago a German scientist found when combining hydrogen and oxygen to make water, you would produce electricity as a byproduct with water vapor as the only emission.  A few years later a Welshman built a device that could do this using a catalyst to chemically combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. 

It was another 100 years before fuel cells would be used in the U.S. space program. 

The concept is simple but fuel cells must operate under very controlled conditions making them expensive to build, but technology is advancing to the point where price and capabilities of fuel cells are becoming economical. 

Problems like limited range and recharging time are being solved. 

The Equinox Fuel Cell is not an electric hybrid you can find on the roads today, it is an electric vehicle powered by GM’s fourth generation fuel cell system.  This system is the most advanced fuel cell propulsion system to date.  Instantaneous torque is provided by a single-speed electric motor traction system giving smooth acceleration.  It has been engineered to reach a top speed of 100 miles per hour.

A major advancement of the fourth generation fuel cell is its ability to operate at sub-freezing temperatures and handling real world conditions over its 50,000 mile life.  In addition you can go an estimated 200 miles per fill up.

The Equinox Fuel Cell weighs 600 lbs more than its petroleum counter part and is far from powerful, but offers a smooth shiftless ride provided by the electric motor.  The Equinox Fuel Cell does 0 to 60 mph in about 12 seconds.

Hydrogen is measured in kilograms.  One kilogram carries about as much energy as a gallon of gasoline.  The Equinox carries 4.2 kilograms in three carbon fiber tanks under the rear seat. 

Hydrogen is also being developed where it can be extracted from water on board the vehicle, eliminating the need for hydrogen filling stations.  For more information go to this link http://www.beyondfossilfuel.com/hydrogen/aluminum_gallium_010908.html

The Equinox has a regenerative braking system turning the kinetic energy when braking into electricity instead of wasted heat.  This system has been used by hybrids for years.  Learn more on regenerative braking and hybrid cars

You cannot buy the Equinox Fuel Cell SUV yet, but you can apply to “Project Driveway”, allowing you to drive it for three months.   In exchange for the privilege of driving the Fuel Cell SUV, GM wants your feedback from your experience.

The biggest problem with a hydrogen powered car is finding a place to fuel up.  There are only a few dozen hydrogen fuel stations in the U.S.  So the “Project Driveway” will be limited to 8 locations near hydrogen pumps in Washington D.C., Westchester County, N.Y. and Southern California. 

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