http://www.greenlivingonline.com/GettingAround/chrevolet-launches-the-newest-fuel-cell-vehicle/
(Nov 21, 2007)
The car of the future is here! Chevrolet fuel cell electric vehicles will be seen on the streets and driveways of Los Angeles, New York City and Washington D.C., beginning today, in the largest market test ever of its kind.
Hitting the road
Customers in suburban Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C. will begin driving more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicles as part of a comprehensive deployment plan dubbed "Project Driveway." It constitutes the first large-scale market test of fuel cell electric vehicles anywhere. "These families volunteered to be part of something big," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "They care about the environment, and they want to help solve our nation’s energy issues. They are pioneers, and we are pleased they have joined our team.
Amazing specs
The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle is a zero-gas, zero-emissions vehicle that makes no compromises, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds, 236 lb.-ft. (320 Nm) of instant torque and a top speed of about 100 miles per hour. It seats four, sports 32 cubic feet of cargo volume for everybody’s gear, and has a range of approximately 150 miles per fill-up based on the new 2008 EPA adjusted measurement.
Enabled by GM’s fourth-generation fuel cell propulsion system, the Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle is a fully functional crossover vehicle. 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.
No noticeable difference
Aside from its dramatically different propulsion system, the Equinox Fuel Cell looks and drives much like a production Chevy Equinox crossover. The fuel cell system fits within the space of the conventional engine compartment. The nickel-metal hydride battery pack, which stores energy from the regenerative braking system to increase operating efficiency and boost acceleration when needed, sits under the floor in the middle of the vehicle. Three compressed hydrogen storage tanks, made of carbon fiber for strength and pressurized to 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi), are located under the rear seats and cargo area. They contain roughly nine pounds (4.2 kg) of hydrogen.
Cool design features
Outside, the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell fascia sports Chevy’s horizontally split grille, along with extra cooling air inlets in the lower front corners. At the rear, the new fascia under the bumper has four thin vertical slits in place of the exhaust pipe; they release the clean water vapor emissions. This patented design lets onlookers know that this is no ordinary internal combustion engine vehicle.
Exterior graphics, including special badging on the liftgate, also call out the Equinox Fuel Cell, finished in either a premium tri-coat Glacier Gold or White. Under the hood, a special trim cover on the fuel cell system also sets the Equinox Fuel Cell apart from its conventional sibling.
The plush interior includes a touch screen display in the center stack for the navigation system and power flow display. Instead of a tachometer, a power indicator is integrated into the instrument panel to show the actual power being delivered to the system in kilowatts (kW). The Equinox Fuel Cell shifter also includes an emblem signifying it’s a hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicle.
Chevrolet launches the newest fuel cell vehicle
Image: www.gm.com
Hitting the road
Customers in suburban Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C. will begin driving more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicles as part of a comprehensive deployment plan dubbed "Project Driveway." It constitutes the first large-scale market test of fuel cell electric vehicles anywhere. "These families volunteered to be part of something big," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "They care about the environment, and they want to help solve our nation’s energy issues. They are pioneers, and we are pleased they have joined our team.
Amazing specs
The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle is a zero-gas, zero-emissions vehicle that makes no compromises, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds, 236 lb.-ft. (320 Nm) of instant torque and a top speed of about 100 miles per hour. It seats four, sports 32 cubic feet of cargo volume for everybody’s gear, and has a range of approximately 150 miles per fill-up based on the new 2008 EPA adjusted measurement.
Enabled by GM’s fourth-generation fuel cell propulsion system, the Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle is a fully functional crossover vehicle. 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.
No noticeable difference
Aside from its dramatically different propulsion system, the Equinox Fuel Cell looks and drives much like a production Chevy Equinox crossover. The fuel cell system fits within the space of the conventional engine compartment. The nickel-metal hydride battery pack, which stores energy from the regenerative braking system to increase operating efficiency and boost acceleration when needed, sits under the floor in the middle of the vehicle. Three compressed hydrogen storage tanks, made of carbon fiber for strength and pressurized to 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi), are located under the rear seats and cargo area. They contain roughly nine pounds (4.2 kg) of hydrogen.
Cool design features
Outside, the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell fascia sports Chevy’s horizontally split grille, along with extra cooling air inlets in the lower front corners. At the rear, the new fascia under the bumper has four thin vertical slits in place of the exhaust pipe; they release the clean water vapor emissions. This patented design lets onlookers know that this is no ordinary internal combustion engine vehicle.
Exterior graphics, including special badging on the liftgate, also call out the Equinox Fuel Cell, finished in either a premium tri-coat Glacier Gold or White. Under the hood, a special trim cover on the fuel cell system also sets the Equinox Fuel Cell apart from its conventional sibling.
The plush interior includes a touch screen display in the center stack for the navigation system and power flow display. Instead of a tachometer, a power indicator is integrated into the instrument panel to show the actual power being delivered to the system in kilowatts (kW). The Equinox Fuel Cell shifter also includes an emblem signifying it’s a hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicle.
3 Comments
posted Jan 7, 2008 - 4:56 pm by matt
wondering how much these cars will be? Or if they avalible to purchase yet?
posted Jan 8, 2008 - 7:43 pm by barb
In this crazy world of hype I wonder if anyone bothered to ask where the electric charge comes from? what fuels the power plants that will be recharging these vehicles? what will happen to the batteries when they need replacing? will there be issues with our landfills once again? I understand the cleaner air thought but if power plants are working harder will there really be cleaner air? My thought is that our car manufacturers have come up with the age old version of what came first?...the chicken or the egg?
posted Jan 14, 2008 - 12:13 pm by jeff
Barb - These are fuel cell powered vehicles. The power comes from the hydrogen fuel cells they have on-board. Does the hydrogen come from 100% pollution free sources? I doubt it, but these vehicles will still produce a whole lot less pollution than gas powered versions. We can't expect vehicles to become totally non-polluting overnight, we have to take small steps forward and that's what this is: a small step. It isn't perfect, but it is better.
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