GM's Fuel-Cell Electric Equinox Goes to Washington
Detroit and the EPA often are at odds, even under the present administration in Washington, but GM apparently figures it can learn from the enemy -- and get some TV news air time as well, judging from the photo.
The carmaker handed over the keys to one of its Equinox fuel-cell electric vehicles today to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson (right).
He's not using it as a getaway car to run from congressional probes of his decisions on greenhouse gas regulations, but is turning it over the agency's fleet, where it will be used by EPA personnel during the course of normal business in and around the DC area over the next six months, GM said.
During that time, electronic recording devices that pick up real-time data from various sensors and monitors in the vehicle will send it to GM each time the vehicle is refueled (there is one public hydrogen station and several operated by government agencies in and around the nation's capital).
GM is placing 100 of the Equinox FCEVs on the road around the country in short-term leases with a variety of private and public users in a program called Project Driveway. It is designed to collect real-word operating data to help GM develop the next generation of hydrogen vehicles - we hope it's one in which we'll see some go on sale.
John O'Dell, Senior Editor
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Photo by Mark Finkenstaedt courtesy of General Motors
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- John O'Dell September 12, 2008, 12:55 PM
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- Fuel Cell, General Motors
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- Environmental Protection Agency, Equinox FCEV, Equinox Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, General Motors, GM
Here is hoping this "decider" runs out of hydrogen far away from a refueling station before he and the rest of the "oil" men of the
Bush Administration leave office. Our current problem with energy for transportation fuel is not a vehicle problem but rather a lack of hydrogen period.