GM Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen car debuts in China

Shanghai, October 22 (Gasgoo.com) The zero-oil, zero-pollution Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel cell car was displayed in Beijing on October 21, kicking off the China tour of GM's hydrogen-powered vehicle, said xinhuanet.com today.

In the coming two years, General Motors will introduce several Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen-fuel cell cars to China. First they will set off in Beijing for a 2009 promotional tour in the country, as an effort to demonstrate GM's cutting-edge technologies of clean energy vehicles and appeal to the general public for more support for eco-friendly energy development.

The Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen car to be displayed across China can run 320 km on the power generated by the hydrogen energy. It can reach 100 km/h in 12 seconds from a zero speed, and a full tank of hydrogen can let the Equinox running at a top speed of 160 km/h. The only emission coming from the tailpipe is pure water vapor.

The Equinox does not have an engine. It's an electric vehicle powered by a fuel cell system. "Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe," said Mark Vann, GM fuel cell expert. Pressurized hydrogen goes into the side of the vehicle. Under the hood there are no pistons or moving parts. Instead, there are hydrogen fuel cells.