GM’s Hydrogen Power Efforts Still Alive

Despite a recent push on the electric vehicle front (a production ready Chevy Volt for example), General Motors put the public on notice this week that it remains as committed as ever to using its rolling science projects as a test bed for getting real world, mass-produced, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in consumer driveways. For those who have not been following GM’s fuel cell efforts, here is an update. Project Driveway is a real-world test that began in late 2007 with the automaker deploying a fleet of 119 specially outfitted Chevrolet Equinox vehicles with a hydrogen fuel cell stack providing the juice for its electric propulsion. Drivers have logged more than 1.3 million miles in all around the world during the test, and even got in a few accidents. The centerpiece of GM’s future hydrogen-powered efforts revolves around its Gen 2 hydrogen fuel cell stack, which is being designed to fit in a four-cylinder engine bay. It’s reportedly some 220 pounds lighter than the stack powering the Equinox fleet, and uses about a third of the platinum than the present stack. Gen2 will employ fewer and lighter components and with its smaller overall size, GM hopes it will be able to spread the stack around to more vehicles in the future. In addition to the Gen 2 stack, GM is also continuing to develop its hydrogen storage solutions. The Equinoxes at present employ three tanks, which the automaker hopes to switch out with a smaller, two-tank setup.

When will GM fuel cell vehicles come to the market? GM says it is focusing on producing a “production intent” program by 2015. Notice the word intent, meaning that this question is really unanswered; however, GM firmly believes that hydrogen-powered vehicles will have a place in future of powertrains.