Reinventing the Automobile with Fuel Cell Technology

The hydrogen fuel cell has the potential to eliminate transport pollution. General Motors has established extensive hydrogen fuel cell research and development facilities both in the U.S. and Europe. It has produced a concept vehicle called AUTOnomy that captures the vision and potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology, and the revolutionary Hy-wire, a vehicle crammed with electronic technology.

The GM Hy-wire has no internal combustion engine, it uses a hydrogen fuel cell

The Hy-wire's fuel cell propulsion system is housed entirely in an 11-inch thick skateboard-like chassis. By-wire controls attached to the chassis through a single docking port use electrical signals instead of mechanical links of hydraulics to control steering, acceleration and braking. Without an engine, steering column or other conventional vehicle components, this concept provides unprecedented design freedom.

Ace says: "As a lad, I admired most of the concept vehicles produced by General Motors at shows and in print. I'm pleased to say they are continuing to produce great designs and to push forward the frontiers of automotive technology."

• GM has made great strides in solving many of the challenges inherent in fuel cell technology, including the tendency to freeze and stop working in cold weather. The GM fuel cell's freeze start-up time has decreased to less than 15 seconds for 100% power at minus 20 degrees Celsius.

• With its historic expertise in manufacturing and engineering, GM has taken a leadership position in fuel cell technology, systems, controls and gasoline/natural gas hydrogen fuel reforming.

• GM's prototype stationary fuel cell unit already generates power for GM's New York fuel cell development facility.

• In only two years, the power density of GM's fuel cell stack technology has increased tenfold, while costs have decreased proportionately.

• In only eight months, GM developed and delivered the world's first and only hydrogen fuel cell vehicle with an on-board gasoline reformer. GM's revolutionary fuel cell vehicle, Hy-wire, has no internal combustion engine, instrument panel, brake or accelerator pedals — but it does have ample power supplied by a GM fuel cell that runs on hydrogen.

Click on the diagram to find out how fuels work