While improvements to the tried-and-true internal combustion engine continue to come in small, incremental bits year after year, hydrogen fuel cell technology is progressing in leaps and bounds. Evidence of such can be seen in the latest version of General Motors' hydrogen fuel cell system.
At the heart of GM's technology is the automaker's fifth-generation fuel cell stack. As we reported last month when we got a firsthand look at the unit, this stack is half the size, weighs 220 pounds less and uses less than half the precious metals of its immediate predecessor. GM hopes to have this fuel cell stack in commercial use by 2015.
Of course, much more is required than a high quality hydrogen powertrain. Charles Freese, executive director of GM Fuel Cell Activities says:
A suitable hydrogen infrastructure and "consumer pull for the products" are really large pieces of the puzzle that no individual automaker can rectify alone. Click past the break for the official press release.GM has invested more than $1.5 billion in fuel cell technology and we are committed to continuing to invest, but we no longer can go it alone. As we approach a costly part of the program, we will require government and industry partnerships to install a hydrogen infrastructure and help create a customer pull for the products... Failure to act will insure the U.S. cannot meet its long-term fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction objectivesWe know what needs to be done. Now is the time to get started.
Continue reading GM shows off fifth-generation fuel cell stack, hopes to commercialize unit by 2015
GM shows off fifth-generation fuel cell stack, hopes to commercialize unit by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
0 comments on "GM shows off fifth-generation fuel cell stack, hopes to commercialize unit by 2015"
Subscribe in a Reader
Post a Comment