Chevrolet Sequel fuel cell prototype

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061023/FREE/61013007/1004
Chevrolet Sequel
Can it become the real answer?

CHEVROLET SEQUEL
MOTORS: Front three-phase asynchronous with 60 kW max output; rear wheel-hubs three-phase synchronous 25 kW times two. Total power: 110 kW
FUELCELL STACK: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEFC). Output: 73 kW
FUEL: Compressed hydrogen stored in 10,000 psi tanks; capacity 8.0 kilograms
ENERGY STORAGE: Lithium ion batteries, 65 kW
MAX SPEED: 90 mph
MAX RANGE: 300 miles

In Sequel, a single motor drives both front wheels, while there?s a motor in the hub of each rear wheel. A long-term goal is to put a motor in each wheel, simplifying controls for things like traction control by driving each wheel independently. For now, these liquid-cooled motors are light enough for the rear axle but the un-sprung mass?33 pounds?is still too high to use them on the front axle. Sequel weighs 4474 pounds, or somewhat less than a 4x4 Trailblazer. At 119.7 inches long, it is essentially the size and mass of a Cadillac SRX.

Lest you doubt the production intent, nearby sat a fuel-cell powered Equinox, 100 copies of which will hit the road in the States in about a year, with more targeted for Asian, European and South American markets. Production scales up by orders of magnitude?first there were the Opel Zafira-based HydroGen3s, built by the handful. Next, the Equinox, of which there will be hundreds. By 2010, GM says it will be counting its fuel-cell powered vehicle production by the thousands. After that? The goal is the same as it was when we drove Hy-Wire: GM wants to be the first auto-maker to build 1 million fuel cell cars.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

There's quite a bit of technology packed into that prototype. Looks pretty cool to boot.

 

[probzy]

Cool.

 

[Kelemvor]

When I was at Epcot Center a few years ago, on the Test Track ride, GM had a booth at the end about their Hydrogen project. They said their goal was to ahev a model released by 2009 that would run on hydrogen and cost no more than the standard gasoline models cost.

We're getting closer so I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

GM has scaled back their plans somewhat since then from what I can tell. I wonder what the fuel cell Equinox's will cost. Lease only?

 

[everman]

Ok I didn't read it yet, but where are we supposed to get the cheap hydrogen?

 

[Eli]

Read the whole article. It's good.

Cool.

 

[halik]

tahts actually pretty nice looking too,
kind of like a prius, except non-ugly

 

[everman]

Sounds good, but I think they really overestimate that amount of hydrogen that's underutilized and accessible.
Hybrids were never a good idea, we need to get away from hydrocarbon fuels completely. Hybrids just wasted time and money that could have been used for fuel cells.

 

[Fenixgoon]

looks like a cool car, and that's from someone who hates hatches/hatch-styled vehicles 🙂

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed
There's quite a bit of technology packed into that prototype. Looks pretty cool to boot.

compressed gas storage for the hydrogen, though, this is not the way of the future.

Good job to GM on the rest, though, the motors and recharging system looks good.

 

[PAB]

Originally posted by: everman
Ok I didn't read it yet, but where are we supposed to get the cheap hydrogen?

The San Jose Airport Hydrogen Fuel station!

 

[MBrown]

That doesn't look too bad.