Carolyn Thompson BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Associated Press General Motors Co. is now 1.6 million kilometres into its fuel cell experiment and company officials say having everyday people drive a test fleet of pollution-free cars has convinced them they are on the right track.
The automaker on Friday said it passed the 1.6 million-kilometres-driven mark in its fuel cell Chevrolet Equinox vehicles, with about 5,000 people rotating in and out of more than 100 cars over the past 25 months.
Supporters see the fuel cell becoming a mainstream, eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-powered cars within the next decade. Powered by electricity, generated by a reaction between oxygen and hydrogen, the only emissions are wisps of water vapour.
But numerous obstacles remain for GM and its competitors in the fuel cell race. Toyota Motor Corp. introduced a car powered by hydrogen and electricity last year and will introduce an improved hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in 2015. Daimler AG has spent nearly $2-billion and plans to spend another $700-million by 2011 for the commercial production of fuel cell vehicles, while Honda has leased a small number of FCX Clarity vehicles in California to assess hydrogen's future.
Auto companies do not disclose costs, but the vehicles are expensive to produce because most are hand-built prototypes. Also, the nation lacks a network of fuelling stations.
Improving technology should allow the next cars to go farther than the current 270 kilometres per fill-up, Mr. O'Connell said. Until then, drivers have to keep a close eye on the fuel gauge to avoid drifting too far from one of about 70 fuelling stations in the United States.
The experience didn't change her mind about wanting to own one, she said, and she felt confident a hydrogen highway will eventually exist. Refuelling the cars with compressed hydrogen takes about five to seven minutes in a process similar to putting gasoline in a traditional car.
Ms. O'Connell said the test program will continue for five more months and then the cars will be pulled off the road and upgraded with technology developed while they've been in use.
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