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The Sound of the Future: GM's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Joins the U.S. Army
By Scott Fosgard
Director, GM Powertrain Communications
About a dozen television cameras and about 50 people gathered last Thursday to hear the sound of the future in Washington D.C. It's like no vehicle sound you've ever known. The compressors take in air and it sounds like a far-off jet engine. That’s the sound of the GM Sequel Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle. This past Thursday was its first day as an enlistee.
Over the past few years, GM has invested $1 billion in alternative fuel technologies. U.S. Army Major General Roger A. Nadeau accepted the keys to the first Chevrolet Equinox to be deployed with the next-generation hydrogen fuel cell power plant. It's cleaner than anything on the road. It's more energy efficient than anything on the road - twice as efficient as internal combustion engines.
At a Capitol Hill announcement, Larry Burns, GM Vice President for Research and Development and Strategic Planning, took questions about the car:
- When can I buy one? (Can't set the date, but in the next decade, for sure)
- How far can it go? (186 miles of petroleum-free operating range!)
And Michigan's senators, Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, shared their views on the reasons to ensure this technology goes forward: national security, reduced oil dependence, technology leadership and the potential for economic benefits for American manufacturers. As Senator Levin exited the car, he said: "It's a keeper!"
This is all part of a larger effort to have 100 fuel cell vehicles on the road by fall of 2007. The test fleet, called Project Driveway, will help GM learn more about how these vehicles perform in continuous "real-life" use.
If you live in the New York City or Washington D.C. areas or in California, keep your eyes open for the white Equinox with the GM Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle sign.
Check out the coverage on WCVB-TV's web site. Check out our Flickr set for more on the Equinox.
Posted by Editor on September 26, 2006 12:16 PM
