GM's Production Sequel Fuel Cell Vehicle to Arrive in 2010

[jpak]

http://www.dailytech.com/GMs+Production+Sequel+Fuel+Cell+Vehicle+to+Arrive+in+2010/article6080.htm

GM is accelerating its plans to bring production-level fuel cell vehicles to consumers. The company announced that a production version of the Chevy Sequel concept car introduced in 2005 will be put into service in 2010.

The Sequel uses GM's third generation fuel cell technology and makes uses of regenerative braking and a rear-mounted lithium-ion battery pack. Forward propulsion is provided by a hub motor in each rear wheel and an electric motor for the front wheels. The electric motor is the same one used in the all-electric Chevy Volt concept introduced in Detroit.

GM expects that the Sequel will have a range of 300 miles and can go from 0-60 in 10 seconds -- or about the same as a 2007 Honda CR-V crossover. Top speed for the vehicle is pegged at 90MPH.

GM has already built two Sequel prototypes and expects to get even more real-world experience with fuel cell technology with a test fleet of 100 Chevy Equinox crossovers. Each Equinox, which normally is powered by a 3.4 liter V6 engine, is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell instead.

<more>