FCV FAQs
1-GM has stated a goal of having a feasible hydrogen powered vehicle by 2010. Do you really think you can make that?
GM is on track to be able to validate and design a fuel cell propulsion system by 2010 that is competitive with current combustion systems on durability and performance, and that ultimately can be built at scale affordability.
How quickly we see significant volumes of exciting, safe and affordable fuel cell vehicles on the market depends on many factors, including: cost-effective and conveniently-available hydrogen refueling for our customers; uniform codes & standards for hydrogen and hydrogen-fueled vehicles; and supportive government policies to help overcome the initial vehicle and refueling infrastructure investment hurdles. No one industry can go it alone. We are working these issues with governments, energy companies and other interested parties around the world.
The key to this technology is to be able to sell it in high volumes. We have to get the key parts of this technology perfected first. That means making it affordable, durable and with the same performance that customers already expect.
2-How much is each vehicle costing GM?
For competitive reasons, we do not disclose the costs of our vehicle development programs. I can tell you that GM has invested more than $1Billion dollars to date in its development of fuel cell technology.
3-How much does hydrogen currently cost?
Currently there is no market price for hydrogen as an automotive fuel. However, the fuel cell is twice as efficient using hydrogen as a fuel, as compared to an ICE using the equivalent amount of gasoline.
4-Isn't it a fact that it still costs considerably more…in terms of energy expended…to produce hydrogen than fuels such as gasoline?
Not necessarily. Because a large and growing hydrogen industry already exists, the costs related to the production of hydrogen from natural gas are well understood. In the near term, natural gas will continue to be the dominant feedstock for U.S. hydrogen production. A 2% increase in U.S. natural gas demand would support sufficient hydrogen production to fuel 10 million fuel cells vehicles.
5-How did GM make the decision to introduce hydrogen fuel cells in a Chevrolet Equinox?
For any meaningful impact relative to environment and energy, alternative propulsion system vehicles must be sold in high volumes. With Chevrolet being GM's global volume brand it makes sense that Chevy would lead GM’s fuel cell charge.
6-What testing has GM put this new Equinox through?
We expect the Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle to meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. It has been successfully crash tested in the presence of NHTSA and its carbon fiber hydrogen storage tanks have gone through extreme testing to validate their reliability and durability.
7-What are the advantages of the Equinox Fuel Cell?
The Equinox Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle uses no petroleum to power the vehicle and zero greenhouse gases are released. Only water vapor is emitted from the exhaust system.
Electrically driven fuel cell vehicles offer the opportunity to diversify energy sources and eliminate petroleum and CO2 emissions from the driving experience, and at the same time increase energy efficiency dramatically to make personal mobility truly sustainable while continuing to excite our customers.
8-Where will the vehicles be built?
The Chevy Equinox FCEV build process starts at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. The fuel cell propulsion system is installed at the GM Canadian Regional Engineering Center (CREC) in Oshawa.
9-What's the safety difference between gasoline and hydrogen?
Hydrogen is the most plentiful element in the universe and is the simplest of all elements. Because hydrogen is lighter than air it diffuses rapidly and it rises 2 times faster than helium and 6 times faster than natural gas at a speed of almost 45 mph. So, if hydrogen is unexpectedly released, it dilutes quickly into a non-flammable concentration if allowed to diffuse into the air. Any breeze in the area will help carry hydrogen away from the point of release.
When used in fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen is not burned as traditional fossil fuels are in internal combustion engine vehicles. Hydrogen is no more or less dangerous than other flammable fuels, including gasoline and natural gas.
Some facts about hydrogen
– It is handled safely every day
– Nine million tons are produced in the U.S. annually
– Hydrogen is renewable and is extremely abundant on earth
– Hydrogen is non-toxic, non-poisonous and non-corrosive
– For more than 40 years, hydrogen has been used as an industrial chemical and fuel for space exploration. Hydrogen can be handled safely
when simple guidelines are observed and the user has an understanding of its behavior. GM has been working safely with hydrogen for 35 years
10-What specifically designed safety features are incorporated in the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell?
The Equinox Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle is comparable to the 5-star regular production Equinox. The EFCEV is expected to meet all U.S. FMVSS requirements, has driver and passenger roof rail airbags and side-impact air bags, antilock brakes, traction control, and OnStar with turn-by-turn navigation system.
11-Hydrogen, in addition to availability issues, is said to be costly to produce. What is in it for consumers?
If we take a look at where hydrogen production is today and draw an area of 100 kilometers around those areas, and compare that to major population centers, it's clear that much of the population in the U.S. and Western Europe is already within the reach of hydrogen.
Applying heat to natural gas is the most cost effective way to produce hydrogen. Because a large and growing hydrogen industry already exists, the costs related to the production of hydrogen from natural gas are well understood. According to industry sources, it costs $1.40 to $1.90 to produce a kilogram of hydrogen, depending on the production scale (does not include delivery/storage/dispensing).
In the near term, natural gas will continue to be the dominant feedstock for U.S. hydrogen production. A 2% increase in U.S. natural gas demand would support sufficient hydrogen production to fuel 10 million FCEVs, which implies sufficient lead time for the development of alternative feedstocks and production pathways to supplement natural gas-based hydrogen production and manage costs.
One advantage of hydrogen is that it can be produced and consumed continuously, using"clean"sources like solar, water and wind power.
12-What is the difference between the Equinox and the Chevy Volt?
The E-Flex system is a family of electric vehicle propulsion systems built into a common chassis. The Volt includes an onboard range extender that is capable of converting and storing electricity from energy carriers such as hydrogen, gasoline, E85, bio-diesel and diesel. Configured as a pure fuel cell, the E-Flex system reduces the size of the battery and eliminates the internal combustion engine. The Chevrolet Volt concept EV is the first variant off GM’s E-Flex system. The Chevrolet Volt, for most daily commutes, could nearly eliminate going to the gas station altogether and greatly reduce tailpipe emissions.
The learnings from GM’s fuel cell vehicles, demonstrations and Project Driveway will be applied to the development of our future fuel-cell electric and range-extended electric vehicles.
13-Will advances in batteries obsolete the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle?
No. GM sees fuel cell and battery technologies as complimentary. While we don't expect to see full-function battery electric vehicles in the near future, advances in battery technology are important enablers to improve the efficiency of fuel cell propulsion systems and extend their range. This will prove to be extremely important in the early stages of the hydrogen infrastructure.
14-It seems strange that this technology is being introduced on a Chevrolet – your so called"value"or"foundation"brand. Wouldn't brands such as Cadillac, Saab or even Opel be better positioned for this technology?
Our intention is to bring this technology to market as part of an affordable, high-volume global vehicle – high volume is critical. For these reasons, it makes perfect sense that Chevrolet be the first brand to use this technology. However, this does not preclude other GM brands from eventually using this technology.
