Sequel a breakthrough for General Motors

General Motors has made history recently when its Chevy Sequel became the very first electrically-driven fuel cell vehicle to reach 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen. General Motors said that the Sequel is the world’s most technologically advanced automobile although may seem a little presuming on their part since it only present one measurement of one aspect of an automobile but of course it simply cannot be denied that it’s an important achievement on the part of the automaker since they have proven that such vehicle is possible and can be produce. The remaining question now is: Can General Motors offer such technology at an affordable price?

According to Larry Burns, GM Vice President, Research & Development and Strategic Planning, “With this drive, General Motors has reached another important milestone toward the commercialization of our fuel cell vehicles, by achieving the range expected by today’s consumers. And we did it while producing zero emissions, as a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle only emits water. In addition, the hydrogen produced at Niagara Falls, used to fuel Sequel, was derived from hydropower – a clean, renewable resource. This means that the entire process – from the creation of the hydrogen to the use of the fuel in the vehicle — was virtually carbon dioxide (CO2) free.”

The Sequel was introduced last 2005 during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The first drivable version was launched last fall. It is the first vehicle in the world to successfully incorporate a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system with a broad menu of advanced technologies such as steer-and-brake through wire controls, wheel hub motors, lithium-ion batteries and the lightweight aluminum structure. The Sequel makes use of clean, renewable hydrogen for its fuel and emits only water vapor; in short it is 100% free from harmful emissions. It is also the very first fuel cell vehicles to achieve real world range even without the addition of crane cams.

The 300 mile-drive through the state of New York achieved by the Sequel started at General Motors’ Fuel Cell Activity Center in Honeoye Falls, wherein the engineers who have developed the company’s fuel cell technology officially made the Sequel to become a part of history. Burns said, “It is our fuel cell teams’ tremendous record of success and absolute dedication to this tremendously important cause which will ultimately enable our country, and our world, to diversify our energy sources and displace large amounts of petroleum.”

The Sequel was able to achieve the 300-mile mark and reach the finish line in Tarrytown just like what General Motors has promised that it will bring part of its next fleet of over 100 Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell vehicles under the “Project Driveway” demonstration program to the greater area of New York metropolitan this coming fall.