GM: Fuel-Cell technology might go on sale in 2015

General Motors has managed to sufficiently reduce the size, weight and cost of its hydrogen fuel cell system and stated that a plan for commercial production is possible for 2015.

Since the start of its Project Driveway, back in the 2007, GM has managed to reduce the size of the system by half, with a weight lost of almost 98 kg. The new system also uses a third of the platinum of the system in the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicles used in Project Driveway.

“Our learning from Project Driveway has been tremendous and these vehicles have been very important to our program,” told Charles Freese, executive director of GM's Global Fuel Cell Activities.

He added, “The 30 months we committed to the demonstration are winding down, but we will keep upgrades of these vehicles running and will continue learning from them while we focus efforts on the production-intent program for 2015.”

A new phase of testing is starting, with some of the 119 fuel cell electric vehicles in Project Driveway receiving hardware and software upgrades. Some will make part of a technology demonstration program with the U.S. Department of Energy while other will be driven by businesses and a few will be used to continue showing the advantages and viability of this technology.

Charles Freese also secures that GM, through Project Driveway will continue make progresses “to advance fuel cell technology, hydrogen infrastructure, and GM's vehicle electrification goals,”

Stephanie White, a fuel cell advocate who was among the first Project Driveway participants was the first long-term loan of the new-look Chevy fuel cell vehicle, as she received the keys of her vehicle last Tuesday.

According to her “Driving the Chevy fuel cell around LA has been an amazing experience. People are always stopping me to ask questions about the vehicle and I tell them how powerful and eco-friendly it is.”