SAIC to use GM fuel cell propulsion system in new experimental vehicle
click above for a high res gallery of the fuel cell Equinox
In Shanghai at the big Chinese motor show, General Motors and partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) announced plans to build a run of new fuel cell vehicles in 2010. The Shanghai Brand fuel cell vehicle will use the same fourth-generation propulsion system that is in the 100+ Equinoxes that are part of GM's Project Driveway. GM and SAIC will build ten of the new vehicles for a test program in China. Engineers from the two companies have been collaborating on the new vehicles and optimizing the powertrain to fit the new package. The partners will have a joint pavilion at next years World Expo 2010 Shanghai where technology like this will be showcased.
Gallery: 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell
[Source: General Motors]
GM and SAIC Promote Fuel Cell Propulsion Technology
Shanghai – General Motors Corp. and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC) announced today the launch of SAIC's Shanghai Brand Fuel Cell Vehicle, which is powered by GM's latest fourth-generation fuel cell propulsion technology.
The vehicle from SAIC uses the same 700 bar high-pressure hydrogen fuel cell system adopted in the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell. Ten Shanghai Brand Fuel Cell Vehicles will be built. The zero-emission high-tech vehicles will join the Equinox Fuel Cell as part of a fleet of both GM and SAIC vehicles to shuttle VIPs at World Expo 2010 Shanghai.
"T he Shanghai and Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles will be featured in the most extensive fuel cell demonstration program ever conducted in China . This follows the government's call for the creation of a sustainable transportation system," said GM Group Vice President and GM Asia Pacific President Nick Reilly. "GM supports China's move toward sustainability, and we are providing our latest fuel cell technology in line with our overall strategy of in China, with China, for China."
SAIC engineers have been co-located at GM facilities in Germany and GM engineers have been co-located at SAIC facilities in China to produce the vehicles. The original Equinox fuel cell propulsion system has been modified and improved to fit into the Shanghai Brand Fuel Cell Vehicle.
GM and SAIC are the exclusive joint global automobile partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai. In line with the exposition's th eme of "Better City, Better Life," GM and SAIC plan to showcase their solutions for sustainable transportation while promoting the vehicles of tomorrow at their corporate pavilion .
The two automakers, which operate eight joint ventures in China, earlier signed a pair of agreements to promote advanced vehicle technology. Their Shanghai GM joint venture began selling the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid last year as part of its Drive to Green strategy. China is slated to become one of the first markets for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle in 2011.
GM has deployed more than 100 Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles around the globe, making it the largest fuel cell electric vehicle fleet to date. Vehicles are being driven by a wide range of customers, businesses, government agencies, celebrities and media as part of Project Driveway.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world's largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 243,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ziv 9:50PM (4/21/2009)
I have to admit that this is kind of confusing. I have read that fuel cells cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to build and that their EROEI is horrible. But this article makes it sound like they may be viable. Are they fool cells or are they the wave of the future?
Reply
Chris M 11:21PM (4/21/2009)
You read right. Current price of H2 PEM fuel cells is about $5,000 per Kw, and the minimum size for a freeway capable fuel cell is about 80 Kw, making for a $400,000 fuel cell. Then add in the very high price for a 10,000 psi carbon fiber H2 storage ank, and the batteries needed to run the car until the fuel cell can start up, and all the other bits and pieces, and you're looking at a half million dollars per vehicle.
As for energy efficiency, the combination of water electrolysis, compression for storage, and H2 fuel cells is only 23% efficient at storing electrical energy. The combination of charger and batteries is 85% efficient. Going the H2 route would require 3x more electricity!
The only reason GM or any other auto maker could even consider making these prototypes is that they get a huge government H2 research subsidy. Apparently, the Chinese government has now caught the "H2 fever" and is squandering funds on the latest buzzword, just as the US government is finally starting to get over it.
Now some claim that future developments can make H2 fuel cells less expensive and more practical, but future developments can also make batteries less expensive, too, and batteries start out with a huge advantage in cost and efficiency and infrastructure. It is unlkely that H2 could ever catch up.