GM Launching World’s Largest Fuel Cell Vehicle Fleet

[Mischief007]

General Motors is billing its latest alternative fuel initiative “Project Driveway,” as “the world’s largest fuel cell vehicle fleet.”

The automaker announced today that it is building in excess of 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles, and it plans on seeding them with select customers beginning next autumn in California, New York, and Washington D.C. It claims that Project Driveway is the world’s first meaningful market test of fuel cell vehicles.

GM’s fuel cell Equinox uses the automaker’s fourth-generation propulsion system, engineered for 50,000 miles of life, and critically, the company believes it will meet all applicable 2007 federal safety standards.

(Complete GM press release after the jump)

gm-fuel-cell-photo.jpgFOR RELEASE: 2006-09-17

Chevrolet To Launch World’s Largest Fuel Cell Vehicle Fleet

More Than 100 to Debut in 2007 in First Meaningful Market Test of Fuel Cell Vehicles

SAN DIEGO – General Motors committed to building the world’s largest fuel cell vehicle fleet today by announcing its next-generation fuel cell vehicle – the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell.

GM will build more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and will begin placing them with customers in the fall of 2007, as part of a comprehensive deployment plan dubbed “Project Driveway.” Designed to gain comprehensive learnings on all aspects of the customer experience, Project Driveway constitutes the first meaningful market test of fuel cell vehicles anywhere. A variety of drivers – in differing driving environments – will operate these vehicles and refuel with hydrogen in three geographic areas: California, the New York metropolitan area and Washington D.C.

“General Motors is demonstrating its commitment to hydrogen fuel cells as the answer for taking the automobile out of the environmental debate and reducing our dependence on petroleum,” said Larry Burns, GM vice president, research & development and strategic planning. “The Equinox Fuel Cell is powered by GM’s most advanced fuel cell propulsion system to date, and demonstrates an important milestone on our pathway to automotive-competitive fuel cell propulsion technology development.”

Enabled by GM’s fourth-generation fuel cell propulsion system, the Equinox Fuel Cell is a fully-functional crossover vehicle, engineered for 50,000 miles of life. Importantly, the Equinox Fuel Cell is able to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures during its 50,000-mile life. 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, while providing all of the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

“The Equinox Fuel Cell is a real-world vehicle with real-world performance,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The fuel cell technology is seamlessly integrated into a uniquely styled crossover vehicle that is distinctively Chevrolet. The Equinox Fuel Cell joins Chevrolet’s family of advanced gas-saving and alternative fuel vehicles.”

The Project Driveway market test will provide comprehensive insight into all aspects of the customer experience, including reaction to the exciting, smooth and quiet performance of a fuel cell vehicle, and refueling with clean hydrogen gas. “These learnings will directly influence future fuel cell vehicle generations and ultimate market acceptance,” Peper said. “With Chevrolet being GM’s global volume brand, it makes sense that Chevy will lead GM’s fuel cell vehicle commercialization charge.”

About General Motors Corporation

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world’s leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

http://news.windingroad.com/auto-new...vehicle-fleet/

Go GM go GM go GM.

[YF19pilot]

I think GM's trump card and second wind is probably going to be in these fuel cell vehicles. Do something that Toyota hasn't. Become the benchmark.


Now I just need to save up money for that 2009 Z/28...

[NAIDANAC A]

is that the new front end of the equinox? it looks better. But needs bigger wheels with 4 discs to be acceptable.

[static]

Originally Posted by NAIDANAC A

is that the new front end of the equinox? it looks better. But needs bigger wheels with 4 discs to be acceptable.

That looks utterly horrible

[Kebab gud]

lets see... both Toyota and honda has been hardtesting fulecell cars for years now ..
and now GM is comming..

My guess on who is first when it comes to massproduction...
Honda, followd by Toyota and BMW .. GM maybe fifth

[sandor_]

...im interested in seeing the fuel cell v. liquid hydrogen battle. bmw seems to be doing pretty well with their flex-fuel hydrogen/petrol 7-series test vehicles...

[bartboy9891]

Originally Posted by static

That looks utterly horrible

yea they mixed some of the chevy uplander:



and then a bit of Tahoe:

[Mischief007]

It is altered like that because you need more cooling.

And could the GM haters get the fuck out of here. I've had it. GM is damned if they do and damned if they don't. They come out with this and still get slandered for it.

[jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Mischief007

It is altered like that because you need more cooling.

And could the GM haters get the fuck out of here. I've had it. GM is damned if they do and damned if they don't. They come out with this and still get slandered for it.

Eh, dont let them get you too bent out of shape, bud. Toyota and Honda MAY for all I know have been doing research, but in the United States, when you go rent a car, or see one as a Government vehicle, or municipal, etc. what do you see as a brand?

GM, of course. They are number one in Government, muncipal, military and rented vehicles and corporate vehicles, not one other comes close.

Expect to see a flood of these GM fuel cell vehicles with government plates on them. That is how GM will win the fuel cell "battle". and in XX amount of years, they will be able to claim they have sold the most. More vehicles on the road means more visual impact, and more public interest.

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by Mischief007

And could the GM haters get the fuck out of here. I've had it. GM is damned if they do and damned if they don't. They come out with this and still get slandered for it.

I know what you mean. It pisses me off too; this attitude would have been acceptable 10 years ago, but now that they're trying to make a comeback and actually coming out with innovative, decent products they still get bad press.

Who cares whether or not the Japanese have come out with this earlier? Kudos to GM for actually bothering to develop it.

[YF19pilot]

Originally Posted by Kebab gud

lets see... both Toyota and honda has been hardtesting fulecell cars for years now ..
and now GM is comming..

My guess on who is first when it comes to massproduction...
Honda, followd by Toyota and BMW .. GM maybe fifth

Okay, here's the thing. Toyota and Honda have been talking about all their testing. GM and BMW are talking about selling/leasing. I think that Japanese are asleep at the wheel on this one...

[NAIDANAC A]

I think the front looks better than the old one.

[No Boss]

looks like that has down syndrome.

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by No Boss

looks like that has down syndrome.

One of the reasons why they are replacing it.

[No Boss]

Originally Posted by jetsetter

One of the reasons why they are replacing it.

About 2 years too late.

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by No Boss

About 2 years too late.

It was an interm vehicle until a new platform could be developed.