General Motors Co. aims to commercialize autos fueled by hydrogen even as the largest U.S. carmaker prepares to begin selling the battery-powered Chevrolet Volt plug-in vehicle late this year.
While U.S. policy has shifted to favor developing cars that use lithium-ion packs, rather than hydrogen fuel-cell models, both are needed to cut oil reliance and greenhouse gases, Charles Freese, GM's executive director of global powertrain engineering, said at a briefing in Burbank, California. He discussed GM's new fuel-cell power system that's smaller, lighter and cheaper than the one used in its hydrogen-powered Equinox wagon.
"We are not abandoning the fuel-cell technology," Freese said yesterday. "Through the worst years in this company's history we maintained the program and maintained the forward progress."
GM's ability to fund costly hydrogen research came into question when the former General Motors Corp. filed for bankruptcy last year. As part of its reorganization, the Detroit-based company has reduced expenses to help pay back billions of dollars in federal bailout funds.
40-mile Range
The Volt plug-in can travel 40 miles (64 kilometers) solely on lithium-ion battery power, according to GM. After the batteries run down, an onboard gasoline engine recharges the cells, extending the car's driving range. Initially, the Volt will be marketed to drivers in California, which requires large automakers to offer some vehicles that emit little or no tailpipe pollution.
GM has said the Volt will cost about $40,000, before a federal tax credit for electric vehicles. The company has said that eventually a fuel cell stack could replace the gasoline engine.
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