Latest Information on GM’s Equinox Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

On September 15, 2008, I published an article here entitled “GM’s $1.5 Million Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicle Wont be Available For At Least 10 Years,” and the information for the article was taken directly from my own experience, as I had seen the Equinox Fuel Cell being promoted that same morning, near where I work in Washington D.C.

After looking at the vehicle I had a conversation with a representative near the information booth, and it was a result of that conversation that spawned the article.

Well, Pete Barkley, who has been working for General Motors for the past eight years in Advanced Propulsion, was kind enough to leave a comment on the article, clarifying a couple inconsistencies and offering us some more information and a test drive.

Never one to give up a good opportunity, I’ve been in contact with him and true to his word, he is giving me the opportunity to drive the Equinox myself, and has granted an interview and will allow me to photograph and publish any pictures I take.

• » See also: Copenhagen Opens First Hydrogen Fueling Station, Unveils Fleet of Fuel Cell Cars
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But until that takes place, and that next that article is written, I’d like to leave you with some information that General Motors  has provided me.

Ten Things You Should Know About A Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure For Automobiles.

1. More than 56 billion kilograms of hydrogen* are produced globally each year, enough hydrogen to fuel over 180 million fuel cell-electric vehicles.

2. Half of the hydrogen produced in North America (enough to fuel 21 million fuel cell-electric vehicles) is already dedicated to transportation – it is used in oil refineries.

3. A large hydrogen production site exists today near almost every major U.S. and European city.

4. Based on numerous studies, the near-term total cost (on a per-mile basis) of producing, distributing, and dispensing hydrogen at volume for use in fuel cell-electric vehicles is equivalent to $2.00 to $3.00 per gallon of gasoline (untaxed).

5. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) long-term target cost for producing, distributing, and dispensing hydrogen is equivalent to $1.00 to $1.50 per gallon of gasoline. Several pathways appear to have the potential to meet this target.

6. A U.S. network of 12,000 hydrogen stations would put hydrogen within two miles of 70 percent of the U.S. population (those living in the 100 largest cities). A focused regional approach in a major metropolitan area such as LA based on 40 large-capacity stations would require an investment of just $200 million and adequately kick-start the infrastructure as the fuel cell vehicle parc grows to 40,000 vehicles.

7. Natural gas, electricity, and water are widely distributed in the U.S., making virtually any location a potential site for hydrogen production (via natural gas reforming or water electrolysis) and vehicle fueling. Initial studies suggest “distributed” hydrogen production could be economically viable (approaching a cost equivalent to $1.50 per gallon).

8. A two percent increase in U.S. natural gas supply would support ten million fuel cell-electric vehicles annually and reduce the CO₂ emissions produced by the displaced gasoline vehicles by over 50 percent on a “well-to-wheels” basis. Natural gas is already proven as an affordable source of hydrogen (production cost roughly equivalent to $0.60/gal of gasoline, or $1.20/kg of hydrogen).

9. Balancing infrastructure availability with fuel cell-electric vehicle sales growth and concentrating initial sales in specific geographic regions will be essential to manage early capitalization risk.

10. Bottom line: The hydrogen infrastructure for automobiles is economically viable and doable but requires a collective will by automakers, energy suppliers, and governments to overcome initial capitalization risks and manage the transition.

*A fuel cell-electric vehicle can generally travel twice as far on a kilogram of hydrogen as an internal-combustion-engine vehicle can travel on a gallon of gasoline.

Photo coutesy of Geognerd via Creative Commons License

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