Chevrolet Launches World’s Largest Fuel Cell Vehicle Fleet
More Than 100 Petroleum- and Emissions-Free Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicles to Go to California, New York and Washington D.C.
LOS ANGELES – Chevrolet fuel cell electric vehicles are hitting the streets and driveways of Los Angeles, New York City and Washington D.C., in the largest market test ever of its kind.
Customers in suburban Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C. will drive 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. A variety of drivers – from regular families to celebrities – will have free use of an Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle and the hydrogen fuel it needs to make electricity onboard. The average family will get one of the vehicles for three months and be required to report their experience to Chevrolet.
“These families volunteered to be part of something big,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Like Chevrolet, 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.
“Drivers will provide regular, candid feedback about their use of the vehicle in their daily lives, the vehicle’s performance and their personal preferences, which is key in defining our product and market introduction plans for fuel cell electric vehicles.”
General Motors Corp. will apply what it learns to the advancement of electric drive vehicles. One example is the Chevrolet Volt with GM’s E-Flex System. The “E” stands for electricity; the “Flex” for the many ways to make and store electricity on board. These technologies reduce emissions, lessen the country’s dependence on oil and move toward sources of energy that can be replenished or renewed – wind, solar, plants, geysers, waves or even garbage.
“What we learn will directly influence future electrically driven vehicle generations and ultimate market acceptance,” said Dan Hancock, GM Powertrain vice president, global engineering. “With Project Driveway, GM is demonstrating its commitment to electrically driven vehicles – whether the source of the electricity comes from a lithium-ion battery or a hydrogen fuel cell – as the answer for helping take the automobile out of the environmental debate and reducing our dependence on petroleum. The Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle demonstrates an important milestone on our pathway to electrically driven vehicle development.”
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.
# # #
Contacts:
Renee McClelland
GM Powertrain Communications
Office: 248-857-6242
Cell: 313-418-3974
Fax: 248-857-0045
E-mail: renee.mcclelland@gm.com
Carolyn Normandin
Chevrolet Communications
Phone: 313-667-4079
Fax: 313-667-4007
E-mail: carolyn.normandin@gm.com
SPECIFICATIONS: CHEVROLET EQUINOX FUEL CELL
General
| Vehicle type: | 5-door, front-wheel-drive crossover SUV |
| Chassis: | Independent McPherson struts front, independent 4-link trailing arm rear, disc brakes front and rear, friction brake blending to maximize energy capture, electric power assist steering |
| Seating capacity: | 4 |
Dimensions
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 112.5 / 2858 |
| Length (in / mm): | 188.8 / 4796 |
| Width (in / mm): | 71.4 / 1814 |
| Height (in / mm): | 69.3 / 1760 |
| Curb weight (lb / kg): | 4431 / 2010 |
| Cargo volume (cu ft / L): | 32.0 / 906.24 |
Fuel storage system
| Type: | 3 carbon fiber fuel tanks, compressed gas |
| Service pressure (psi / bar): | 10,000 / 700 or 5,000/350 |
| Storage capacity (lb / kg): | 9.24 / 4.2 |
Fuel cell system
| Power (kW): | 93 |
Battery system
| Type: | Nickel-metal hydride battery pack; regenerative braking |
| Power (kW): | 35 |
Electric traction system
| Front system: | 3-phase asynchronous electric motor, FWD |
| Power (kW): | 73 continuous, 94 maximum |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm): | 236 / 320 |
Performance
| Acceleration 0-60 mph / 0-100 km/h (sec): | 12 |
| Top speed (mph / km/h): | 100 / 160 |
| Operating range (miles / km): | 150 / 240 based on the new EPA 2008 adjusted measurement |
| Payload (lb / kg): | 800 / 362 |
Exterior
| Colors: | White, and premium tri-coat Glacier Gold |
| Styling: | Differentiated front and rear fascia, exhaust outlets, chrome accents, graphics |
| Tire size: | P225/60R17, 17-inch aluminum wheels |
Interior
| Content: | Premium cloth (leather free) seats and trim, 2-passenger rear bench with center console |
| Color & styling: | Glacier Gold theme with fabric and trim, unique floor mats and shift lever graphics |
| Instrument panel: | kW meter, fuel cell energy display |
Fuel cell propulsion system
| Freeze capacity: | Freeze capable without grid heater |
| Operating temperature (F / C): | 5 to +113 / -15 to +45 |
Standard equipment
OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation; electronic control HVAC; driver-side power seat; deep tint windows; heated seats; keyless entry; power door locks/windows; power steering; driver information system; cruise control; AM/FM/XM navigation radio
Safety and security
Expected to meet all applicable U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS); driver and passenger front air bags and roof rail side-impact air bags; ABS; traction control; OnStar; navigation system.
Product benefits
No petroleum consumption; EPA-certified zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) that emits only water vapor; zero propulsion system (greenhouse gases-GHG) emissions; instant torque
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I would love to see a Chevrolet Traverse fuel-cell vehicle, with a range of 400 miles, and faster acceleration. This looks like a great start, and showing the possibilities of fuel-cell technology as being real. Electric performance without batteries. Utlizing hydrogen without needing to build a complex internal combustion engine, while getting the best efficiency out of it, for maximum range. It would be great to see the technology being tested on a Silverado 2500 HD, while pulling heavy trailers too.