CHEVY FUEL CELL EQUINOX

By Casey Williams www.car-data.com

I have driven the future and it is very good. Recently, I had the chance to pilot one ofChevrolet’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered Equinox crossovers on a short route. From the way it drivesto how it is powered, the vehicle is like no other road-legal vehicle on earth.

This special Equinox is essentially an electric car like the much-documented EV1, but runs onelectricity generated by an on-board hydrogen fuel cell. Multiple tanks provide enough hydrogenfor a range of 150-180 miles, depending on how hard the vehicle is driven. Hydrogen is chemicallyconverted, not burned. The only emissions out of the tailpipes are water vapor. You do not chargethe batteries.

I was fortunate enough to drive the GM EV1 in the mid-90s while a college student. I rememberhow smoothly and smartly it accelerated off the line. Abundant power always seemed to appear thevery second you commanded it. Same is true of the Equinox. It has tons of torque, acceleratesmore smoothly than a Lexus LS600h, and handles like the car-based crossover it is. Even over roughroads, the wagon seemed well built and thoroughly engineered. I thought it would remind me of agraduate school science project, but found the Equinox to be a real, impressive, and most-enjoyablevehicle.

To get real life experience, 100 Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicles are being loaned to driversin Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. In exchange for a three-month test drive thatincludes free hydrogen, drivers will provide GM with candid feedback about their experience withthe vehicle, preferences, and opportunities for improvement.

According to Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager, “These families volunteered to be part ofsomething big. They care about the environment, and they want to help solve our nation’s energyissues. They are pioneers, and we are pleased they have joined our team.”

You want to know another reason these vehicles are important? They are proving the basicelectric drive systems that will be applied to other GM E-Flex-based vehicles, like the 2011Chevrolet Volt (although, the Volt will come with a gasoline engine to recharge the batteriesinstead of a hydrogen fuel cell). General Motors wants to be ready when distribution of hydrogenbecomes readily available. These Equinox test vehicles are still pretty exotic technology, butthey are real cars – real cars that I would love to drive every day. The future is going to be avery good place.

You’re going to love these cars!
Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell
Four-passenger, FWD,Crossover.
Powertrain: E-Flex elect sys.,
Hydrogen fuel cell.

Must-have features: No emissions!
0-60 mph: 12s

Top speed: 100 mph
Range: 150-180 miles

Base price: Forget it!