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GM Delivers First
Fuel Cell Truck to U.S. Army
Military sees day when
all its vehicles would be fuel cell-powered
Honeoye Falls, NY - General Motors
Corp. and the U.S. Army today announced they are partnering to introduce
the world's first fuel cell-powered truck into U.S. military service.
The U.S. Army took delivery of the crew
cab pickup at the GM research facility outside of Rochester, NY, where
the vehicle's two fuel cell power modules were made. Marking the
occasion was Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), who was instrumental in
securing the funds in the 2005 Department of Defense appropriations on
behalf of GM's experimental truck."
"The work that GM is doing here in
Honeoye Falls represents extraordinary promise for New York State and
indeed the entire nation. Securing the funds to make this project
possible was a critical step in the right direction. I'm thrilled to
have helped and been able to play a role in today's announcement," said
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The modified Chevrolet Silverado is
equipped with two 94 kW fuel cell stacks, capable of generating 188 kW
and 317 foot-pounds of torque, or roughly the motor torque generated by
GM's 5.3 liter V-8 engine.
"Fuel cell vehicles are a good match with
U.S. Army goals," said Elizabeth A. Lowery, GM's vice president for
Environment and Energy. "We are committed to the development of new
technologies that will improve fuel consumption and reduce vehicle
emissions. Fuel cell systems are both clean and quiet, and therefore,
can provide a battlefield advantage.
"Our partnership with the U.S. Army will
familiarize the military with the next-generation of
commercially-developed fuel cell technology, will help us drive down
costs, create potential for future joint development of fuel cells and
promote the development of a hydrogen infrastructure."
The U.S. Army has the largest fleet of
vehicles in the world. Improving fuel economy and reducing the logistics
of the fuel supply chain could save millions of dollars. For example, it
cost the U.S. Army up to $400 a gallon of gas to ship fuel to Iraq
and Afghanistan.
GM has a history of working with the
military on their transportation needs. The automaker produces more than
half of the non-tactical military vehicles purchased each year.
The U.S. Army will evaluate the
experimental truck until July 2006 at an Army base in Ft. Belvoir, Va.
The vehicle will be used to deliver packages but will not be used in
combat. Rigorous testing is planned in different climates and locations
around the U.S. to assess performance and give the military first-hand
experience with hydrogen and fuel cells.
Despite weighing 7,500 pounds, the GMT800
accelerates in a similar fashion to a V-8 powered production truck, but
produces no tailpipe emissions. Fuel cells chemically convert hydrogen
into electricity and water. Three 10,000 psi compressed hydrogen storage
tanks, provided by Quantum Technologies, will provide a range of 125
miles, even though the vehicle was not optimized for range.
General Motors Corporation
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been
the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today
employs about 324,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing
operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries.
In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent
and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global
headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More
information on GM can be found at
www.gm.com.
U.S. Army Research, Development and
Engineering Command (RDECOM)
The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command gets
technology out of the laboratories and puts it into the hands of
warfighters as quickly as possible. RDECOM manages eight laboratories
and research, development and engineering centers, plus the U.S. Army
Materiel Systems Analysis Activity, System of Systems Integration,
international technology centers, and capability and technology
integrated process teams. RDECOM maintains liaisons to the field,
hundreds of international agreements, and engineer and scientist
exchange programs. RDECOM has more than 17,000 military, civilian and
direct contractor personnel, a multi-billion dollar annual budget and is
responsible for 75 percent of the Army's science and technology
objectives. RDECOM provides direct support of the technical base to
Future Combat Systems and Future Force, ensuring the nation has the
protection it needs for the 21st century and beyond. More information on
the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command can be found
at
www.rdecom.army.mil. |
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