Chevy has launched hydrogen-powered fuel cell Equinox SUVs. The Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell SUVs will be rolled out in California, Metropolitan New York and Washington DC. Currently, California has approximately 23 hydrogen fueling stations, New York has 2 and Washington DC has 1 station. As a result, the manufacturing of vehicles may be promoted more towards California, which has a larger hydrogen support system already in place that the other two regions.

The Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell contains General Motor’s fourth generation fuel cell propulsion system including a 93 kw fuel cell, 73 kw front-wheel drive 3-phase asynchronous electric motor and 35 kw nickel metal hydride battery pack. The Equinox Fuel Cell uses 3 carbon fiber fuel tanks, pressurized to 10,000 psi and has a range of 200 miles before refueling. The Chevy Equinox SUVs can reach a maximum speed of 100 mph and can accelerate from 0 - 60 mph in 12 seconds.

The problem of the fuel cell is that it has the life expectancy of only 50,000 miles so most likely the vehicle will be leased instead of selling on the market. General Motors of Canada in Oshawa, Ontario will produce the 100 Equinox Fuel Cell SUVs to be sold, leased or otherwise distributed in the U. S.

The Cadillac Provoq uses a E-Flex hybrid system with the new fifth generation hydrogen fuel cell system. The system uses a 70 kw co-axial drive system up front and each rear wheel uses a 40 kw hub motor to generate power and speed.

The Cadillac Provoq can run a top speed of 100 mph with 0 - 60 mph (100 km/h) acceleration in just 8.5 seconds, which is pretty decent for a big vehicle. The Chevy Equniox fuel cell SUV, by comparison, which General Motors is using in its Project Driveway program has a 0 - 60 mph acceleration of 12 seconds.

The Cadillac Provoq has a driving range of 300 miles, which in the first 20 miles it will be accomplished by battery power alone and the next 280 from the fuel cell and hydrogen tanks. The concept vehicle carries two 10,000 psi hydrogen tanks made of composite storage material which is located underneath the cargo floor.

Besides using the power from the hydrogen tanks, the Cadillac Provoq also uses a lithium-ion battery pack for the first miles on the vehicle and an additional 60 kw power burst if needed to go up hills or pass other vehicles. The Cadillac Provoq is a luxury vehicle as its interior is fitted with comfortable leather with four seats in total.

A solar panel on the roof of the Cadillac Provoq is used to power the vehicle’s audio system, interior lights and other accessories. Soy-based materials have been used to create the Cadillac Provoq’s headliner and the carpeting is made from recycled jute and polyester. Cadillac Provoq has a lot of environmentally friendly features.

Press Release:

CADILLAC PROVOQ FUEL CELL CONCEPT DELIVERS CLEAN, PETROLEUM-FREE PERFORMANCE AND SIGNATURE DESIGN

LAS VEGAS - Cadillac unveils a new vision for the future of luxury transportation with the innovative Provoq fuel cell concept - a hydrogen fuel cell crossover vehicle that continues GM’s commitment to displace petroleum through advanced technology.

The Cadillac Provoq fuel cell concept is the latest example of GM’s groundbreaking E-Flex propulsion system, combining the new fifth-generation fuel cell system and a lithium-ion battery to produce an electrically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum and has no emission other than water. The concept’s fifth-generation fuel cell technology is half the size of its predecessor, yet it has been developed to produce more power and performance.

“Cadillac is a natural fit for GM’s next step in developing the E-Flex platform,” says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “Cadillac, at its very essence, is about premium luxury, design and technology, so it’s fitting that Cadillac would be propelled by the most elegant solution. This signals Cadillac’s intent to lead the industry with alternative-fuel technology.”

Fuel-cell variant of the E-Flex system
The concept can drive 300 miles (483 km) on a single fill of hydrogen - with 280 miles (450 km) from hydrogen and 20 miles (32 km) on pure, battery electric energy.

A pair of 10,000 psi (700 bar) composite storage tanks beneath the rear cargo floor hold 13.2 pounds (6 kg) of hydrogen to feed the fuel cell stack, located under the hood. There, hydrogen mixes with oxygen to generate electricity - up to 88 kW continuous power. A lithium-ion battery pack can store up to a total of 9kWh of electrical energy and also provides a peak of 60 kW of power for additional performance.

The electricity generated by the fuel cell is distributed to a 70 kW co-axial drive system for the front wheels and individual, 40 kW wheel hub motors on the rear wheels, giving the Cadillac Provoq its all-wheel-drive traction and great driving dynamics. Its 0-60 mph (approximately 100 km/h) speed of 8.5 seconds is a more than 30-percent improvement over the previous-generation fuel cell system and with instantaneous torque to the wheels, it feels even faster. Provoq has a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h).

“This is a vision of what comes next - a fuel cell electric vehicle that delivers the driving characteristics Cadillac customers want and allowing them to do it without using a single drop of petroleum, while emitting only water vapor,” said Larry Burns, GM vice president for research and development. “This is proof that alternate fuels and advanced technologies create even greater opportunities to satisfy the luxury buyer.”

Key features
With sleek, signature Cadillac bodywork, the Provoq concept redefines luxury crossovers, offering uncompromising passenger and cargo space to match its performance and cruising range. Additional vehicle features include:
? Solar panel integrated in the roof to help power onboard accessories, such as the interior lights, audio system and more
? Brake-by-wire technology
? Front grille louvers that close at highway speed to enhance aerodynamics, and open at low speed to provide maximum cooling to the fuel cell stack

Purposefully dynamic design
The Provoq has a sleek, athletic shape that builds on the second generation of Cadillac’s design renaissance, led by the 2008 CTS, with dynamic and purposeful features that support the hydrogen fuel cell powertrain and contribute to the vehicle’s overall efficiency.

“All the people- and cargo-carrying capability customers expect in crossovers and SUVs is available in the Provoq, along with the premium attributes expected in a Cadillac,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, Global Design.

Highlights include:
? Active front grille, with grille louvers that open when the fuel cell stack requires cooling
? Full underbody aerodynamic cover
? Left- and right-hand charging ports incorporated in stylish front fender vents
? Flush door handles that feature push-to-release operation
? Wind tunnel-shaped outside mirrors with integral turn signals
? Center high-mounted rear stop lamp incorporated into full-width, wraparound spoiler
? Signature vertical taillamps with subtle fin design
? Side glass mounted flush with pillars
? Wheels with clear-covered space between the spokes, creating a sleeker profile while maintaining Cadillac’s signature bold wheel design
? Low-drag roof rack

“From the strong, shield grille and vertical headlamps to the crisp body lines, the Provoq is instantly recognizable as a contemporary Cadillac,” said Hoon Kim, exterior lead designer. “Like the new CTS, it is bold and expressive, but there is enhanced shape between the edges - it’s a new proportion for crossovers, with a fast, almost coupe-like rear.

“Everything about the vehicle reinforces the notion that great style and environmentally conscious transportation can go hand in hand,” said Kim. “We didn’t sacrifice proportion, stance or Cadillac’s iconic design cues; we used them to support the efficiency of the vehicle.

“They are the features customers expect,” he said. “The adaptability of the E-Flex architecture enabled the designers to create a great-looking vehicle, regardless of its alternative-fuel powertrain.”

Kim points to the fender-mounted charge ports as prime example. They allow overnight, plug-in charging that extends the driving range. The ports have a satin-chrome appearance that incorporates an amber light to indicate the system is charging and a green light to indicate when charging is completed.

“The ports are functional, but rather than hide them, they are design elements of the Provoq,” he said. “Sweeping body lines that culminate at the top and bottom edges of the ports suggest forward thrust, even when the vehicle is stationary.”

The vertical, neon-lit taillamps blend style with functionality, too, as their finned shape was designed to make the Provoq as aerodynamically efficient as possible.

Indeed, the Provoq has short overhangs and a sporty ride height that is complemented by large, 21-inch wheels.

The wheels are wrapped in custom Michelin tires incorporating Green-X technology. These low-rolling resistance tires feature a tread pattern that mimics the “H20″ notation for water.
The tire designers and engineers at Michelin North America enthusiastically accepted GM’s challenge to create a custom low-rolling resistance tire to complement the energy efficiency and reduced environmental footprint of the Cadillac Provoq. During the past 15 years, the tire maker has developed four generations of Michelin green energy-saving tires, and the team’s no-compromises approach to the project helped reduce the Provoq’s overall fuel consumption without sacrificing road performance, grip and safety.
When used in conjunction with the other energy-efficient solutions featured on the Cadillac Provoq, the benefits of Michelin green energy-saving tires include:
? A reduction in the consumer’s overall cost of ownership
? An extended vehicle range through a more efficient use of on-board energy and its storage capacity
? A reduction of vehicle impact on the environment through lower CO2 and particulate emissions.

Uncompromising interior
Like the exterior, the Provoq’s interior blends style with function. It seats five and incorporates the comfort, convenience and infotainment features Cadillac customers seek. Most importantly, the fuel cell powertrain does not intrude on passenger or cargo room.

The hydrogen fuel tanks are mounted beneath the cargo floor, with the storage batteries located at the center of the chassis. The fuel cell stack is located under the hood, giving the Provoq the interior layout of a conventional crossover - including a full cargo area and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

“The interior is roomy, well-equipped and offers the space people want in a crossover,” said Matt Erdey, interior lead designer. “There are no compromises inside the Provoq to accommodate the fuel cell powertrain and fuel tanks - a factor that proves the technology and real-world feasibility are growing closer together.”

There may not be compromising reminders of the powertrain in the interior, but the Provoq carries the instantly identifiable hallmarks of a contemporary Cadillac interior, with an expressive, well-crafted design.

“It picks up the cues, refinement and attention to detail of the new CTS and takes them to the next level,” said Erdey. “A contrasting color scheme, extensive use of ambient lighting technology and elements such as cut-and-sewn, hand-wrapped leather with French seams are elements seen in current Cadillac models, but they are amplified in the Provoq. ”

The interior has a contrasting, dark gray and light gray color scheme, with chrome and satin-chrome accents throughout. Ambient lighting extends across the instrument panel and into the door panels, as well as the foot wells, sills and under the seats.

A unique instrument cluster with large, reconfigurable LCD displays offers a multitude of vehicle information readouts, including fuel cell information and vehicle performance. Like the CTS, the Provoq has a prominent center stack that houses the audio and climate systems, as well as a navigation system that rises out of the top of the instrument panel. Also like the CTS, there is an integrated hard drive that stores navigation maps, thousands of songs and more.

Between the front bucket seats is a large center console with a fully enclosed storage compartment that is home to ports for USB-connected devices and other electronics. The console also has a cell phone holder with built-in Bluetooth and inductive charging. The compact shifting mechanism on the console uses shift-by-wire technology to engage the gears, resulting in more storage space within the console.

A variety of recycled and recyclable materials were used, as well. Highlights include:
? The headliner is wrapped in a fully recyclable soy-based material
? The carpet is made of recycled polyester and jute
? Leather used to cover the seats and instrumental panel is free of harmful chemicals
? Xorel material used on the door panels and instrument panel; treated to perform as a carbon-fiber-type material
? Chrome trim made with less-harmful materials

The earth-friendly interior components blend seamlessly with the more conventional materials inside the Provoq, enhancing the vehicle’s integrated, customer-focused environment. The same goes for the cargo area, which features an auxiliary power outlet and a load floor that is level with the hatch opening.

“The integration of the features and technology is remarkable,” said Erdey. “If you didn’t know there was a hydrogen fuel cell stack under the hood, you’d never know it was anything but a roomy, functional crossover.”

The Giugiarò Vadho is a tandem two-seater, with both driver and rear passenger residing on the left side of the vehicle. At the both left side and the right side contains the hydrogen ICE power train which can be switched depending upon the country in which is being driven.

The Giugiarò Vadho interior design has futuristic ergonomically designed seats which contains two joysticks on the driver’s armrests and drive-by-wire technology that will make the gaming enthusiast feel right at home. The joysticks move back and forth on the armrest to assist the driver on curves and other challenging driving conditions.

The rear passenger has a joystick which is used to control two monitors built into the back of the driver’s seat. The joystick controls the display of driver data also available on monitors accessible to the one in front. Data such as the view from cameras mounted on the sides and rear of the vehicle are shown to both driver and passenger. The data can be used by the driver for parking, nighttime infrared driving, or interactive driving between car and roadside infrastructure such as stoplights, when this infrastructure becomes available. With these, this makes the Giugiarò Vadho a very smart car.

Safety also came in mind for the Giugiaro Vadho design. Besides four-point seat belts, the vehicle has a roll bar that the glass cockpit dome attaches to and front and umbrella airbags as well. Conceived to highlight the need for ecological propulsion, the Vadho also marks the debut of Italdesign’s new corporate logo: a large G in the company’s corporate shade of red.

The tri-flex fueling system on the Ford F-250 Super Chief can travel as far as 500 miles between total refueling with the supercharger activated only when using the hydrogen fueling system. The hydrogen system also provides a power 400 lb.-ft. of torque. The transfer between fueling options is performed through a switching system onboard and can be accomplished while the vehicle is running. The hydrogen based fuel alternative boasts 12-percent greater fuel efficiency when compared to either of the remaining fueling options. Using hydrogen is an environmental friendly and it provides 99-percent less CO2 emissions than the gasoline-only option.

The Ford F-250 Super Chief also offers an innovative safety features. The Super Chief’s Beltminder technology tell the driver when any of the passenger seat belts are unbuckled, even in the rear seat. The Super Chief’s Blockerbeam technology is a frontal crash under ride protection system that not only protects passengers in the hydrogen truck but also protect cars in case a frontal impact occurs. The frame-rails and L-brackets help to prevent cars from sliding underneath the higher riding truck and help to disperse energy during a crash.

The Ford F-250 Super Chief interior is pure luxury and back seats comes with a rich American walnut and brown leather seats with comforts. The roof is totally made of glass and the back doors swing out independent of the front door. The Super Chief’s front headlamps are LED’s in order to reduce power consumption.

The Ford Focus FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) is another Ford’s hydrogen car. Think electric vehicle project, this Focus is proof that Ford hasn’t completely given up on developing alternative fuel technology.

The Ford Focus FCV is powered by a Ballard 902 Fuel Cell, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) stack. The car’s 5000 psi pressurized hydrogen tank releases H2 into the fuel cell stack where the hydrogen is temporarily separated into protons and electrons, producing electricity, then united with oxygen from the air to produce the vehicle’s only byproduct, water.

The Ford Focus FCV is recognized as a Generation 3 hydrogen car since other research cars have come before it, namely the Ford P2000 fuel cell vehicle, which still holds the record of traveling nearly 1,400 miles (approx 2240km) in a 24-hour period. The Ford Focus FCV is powered by electric motor and receives its electricity from two sources. The first source is directly from the fuel cell and the second source is from the H2 car’s battery pack (a module containing High Voltage SANYO Ni-MH Battery System). The Ford Focus FCV has a driving range of approximately 150 - 200 miles and a top speed of 80 mph. The Focus FCV’s powertrain produces 170 ft-lb. torque and 87 bhp.

For the records, Ford has delivered 30 Focus FCV’s to different cities in the United States, Canada and Germany. Five Ford Focus FCV’s have been delivered to California, Florida, Michigan and British Columbia. This car will be car where the automobile industry will be headed within the next 5 - 10years.

The Ford Flexible Series Edge was manufactured on January 23, 2007 during the Washington DC Auto Show, which addresses the concerns of the global warming and US autocar makers. As a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the Ford Flexible Series Edge can run the first 25 miles entirely on its battery power.

Once the battery is 40-percent depleted, the Ballard fuel cell kicks in and recharges the 336-volt lithium ion battery pack, which in turn supplies current to the electric motor to drive the wheels. The 5,000 psi hydrogen tanks and fuel cell add 200 miles to the vehicle’s range for a total of 225 miles when combined with the battery pack. The Ford Flexible Series Edge can reach a top speed of 85 mph.

The convenient part of the Ford Flexible Series Edge is that the fuel cell can be easily removed and replaced with a downsized gasoline or diesel engine. With this plug-in Ford Edge, the fuel cell size, weight and cost have been reduced by half and by using this type of hybrid system, the life of the fuel cell will be double the life of other fuel cells.

Ford claimed that the Explorer Fuel Cell has a driving range of 350 miles and this car driving range exceeds any other fuel cell vehicle shown to date.

The Ford Explorer FCV was built with the help of the U.S. Department of Energy, who continues to analyze the feasibility of hydrogen vehicles. The Ford Explorer Fuel Cell is a 6-passenger 4-wheel drive vehicle and according to the road testing reports, it can undergone 17,000 miles including setting a record of 1,556 miles traveled in a 24-hour period.

As an electric all-wheel-drive vehicle, the Ford Explorer FCV joins the ranks of Ford’s other green vehicles such as the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV and Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV in delivering a sorely needed alternative to the group of low gas mileage, high emissions SUVs currently on the market.

The Ford Airstream Concept is a plug-in electric hybrid hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. With a combined city / highway gas mileage of 41 mpg, the Ford Airstream combines the best of two iconic companies in a crossover vehicle meant to travel the open road.

The Ford Airstream Concept is built with a HySeries Drive system that only runs on electricity from its 336-volt lithium-ion battery pack for the first 25 miles. After the 25 miles, the hydrogen fuel cell then recharges the battery pack and delivers power to the electric motors for another 280 miles, making the vehicle’s travel range of a total 305 miles.

The Ford Airstream’s HySeries Drive technology was partially funded by the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Canadian company Ballard supplied the fuel cell and expect it will hit 3 million units by 2010. With the exterior and interior design, Ford Airstream Concept captures the sense of travel and adventure of spacecraft and aircraft design that Airstream founder, Wallace Merle Byam tried to instill since he survived the Great Stock Market Crash of 1929 and started selling his travel trailers full-time in 1930. The fuselage of the Ford Airstream Concept is made with special reflective silver paint and 12 ceremonial rivets.

The exterior and interior look is totally different, from the reports, the inside design is based upon Stanley Kubrick’s movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Passengers ease into the asymmetrical doors of the Ford Airstream, which also has a hatchback in the rear to complete the crossover concept.

The rear setting area of the Ford Airstream has a lounge atmosphere, decked out in cosmic red and white with a cocoon feel. The focal point in the back is a 360-degree screen for entertainment, games or live camera feed. The screen also offers ambient mood settings such as a virtual fire or a lava lamp.

This car is resemble to a space aircraft.

Overall, the Fiat Panda Hydrogen Car’s system has three main fuel cell components which include an advanced turbo-blower, a cooling and humidifying system to correctly manage the reagent gases, and the auxiliary components set. With these systems, they allow the vehicle to function at a higher power and also it allows for smooth handling.

The fuel cell and hydrogen tank in the Fiat Panda Hydrogen Car are placed beneath the floor pan unlike the 2004 version of the Panda Hydrogen Car where the fuel cell stack was located underneath the hood. In the 2006 model, the transmission and alternating current three-phase asynchronous electric engine (60 kw) is located underneath the hood. Fiat also states that the electrical power generation system is so efficient that 60-percent is available and just 20-percent maximum power.

The 2006 Fiat Panda Hydrogen Car uses a full power system and it is lacked a drive battery for the accumulation of electrical energy. The Panda Concept receives enough energy directly from hydrogen tank to fuel cell to deliver the needed electricity to its high-torque electrical motors. The 2006 Panda Concept can accelerate from 0 to 30 mph in 5 seconds and can reach a maximum speed of about 78 miles per hour. The Panda Hydrogen Car also boasts a travel distance of more than 120 miles and refueling time less than 5 minutes.

The 2006 Fiat Panda Hydrogen Car was exhibited in February of 2006 at the first ever Hydrogen Olympics in Turin, Italy. And now in Italy you can find some Fiat Panda hydrogen car on the road.

The Daihatsu Tanto FCHV (fuel cell hybrid vehicle) is a mini MPV (multi purpose vehicle) and sits on the frame of the Daihatsu Tanto mini vehicle. Tanto FCHV is built based on the Daihatsu Move FCV-K2 which is similar in appearance to the Honda Element or the Scion xB. The Daihatsu Tanto FCHV can seat up to four adults, despite the fact that it is a compact car.

The Daihatsu Tanto FCHV uses a fuel cell stack (30 kw) developed by Toyota and it is placed underneath the seats to save some rooms. The front-wheel drive 32 kw electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery pack provides the torque and an exceptionally quiet ride.

The Dahatsu Tanto FCHV made its first public appearance at the Tokyo Auto Show in October of 2005. Since then Dahatsu had increased the size of the hydrogen tank (35MPa) to generate greater distances between fill-ups (96 miles), while at the same time reducing the size of the battery and placing it in the rear compartment, giving the car much more passenger space. Daihatsu has added an energy indicator to tell how much energy has left making it more user-friendly and easier to ride.

Toyota has also added LED lights to this model in the Tanto to reduce the amount of energy it needs to run. Headlights and interior lighting can place a considerable amount of strain on a battery. For instance, leaving headlights on for just a few hours can leave a car unable to start without a jump. Reducing the power that goes to lighting makes the car much more efficient.

Sadly, Daihatsu Tanto FCHV will not be in production for consumers for at least several years but it has demonstrated how forward-thinking automobile companies are dealing with the problems that equipping cars with fuel cells brings, namely, the cost of the technology, passenger comfort, driving speed and maximizing the range of the vehicle.