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GM's hydrogen fuel-cell fleet holds up in crashes

USA Today -- One of the more impressive aspects of General Motors' Project Driveway, which put 120 Chevrolet Equinox fuel-cell vehicles on the streets, is that it was pretty clear from the start that some might get in accidents. With that many vehicles it was bound to happen. But how would a hydrogen vehicle hold up?

This fuel cell vehicle took a good smack in front. CAPTIONBy GMSo far, so good. Five GM fuel-cell vehicles have been involved in accidents over the years, and none has resulted in any sort of catastrophic hydrogen explosion, says Charlie Freese, who is charge of GM's fuel-cell program...

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Submitted Mar 19, 2010 By: GM

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threewheeler Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,307 Points:285,550 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:37:06 PM Ignore threewheeler Report Abuse that dont impress me much
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:6,320 Points:719,320 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:36:44 PM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse National Highway Traffic Safety Admin will require better documented testing
VWC Veteran Author Maryland Posts:378 Points:648,065 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:36:21 PM Ignore VWC Report Abuse How much energy does it take to produce hydrogen fuel cell? How does it compare to that of gasoline?
jeromehasbargen Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,908 Points:379,780 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:34:29 PM Ignore jeromehasbargen Report Abuse I would hope that they wouldn't explode uppon impact.
suzyq2007 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,809 Points:778,325 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:33:29 PM Ignore suzyq2007 Report Abuse time will tell
Dennisjk Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,604 Points:1,036,515 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:30:32 PM Ignore Dennisjk Report Abuse As foar as alternative go, I like hydrogen.
RovingOkie67 Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,586 Points:416,805 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:26:23 PM Ignore RovingOkie67 Report Abuse Try and put a family of 4 into one of those Smart cars and you are cruising for a disaster if a large SUV or semi-tractor and trailer hits that Smart Car. There will be no one alive in the pile of carbon fiber, glass and plastics for the meat wagon to take to the coroners office or to a nearby funeral home!! If these hydrogen fuel cell cars and moderate in sixe and can seat 5 adults safely and cost no more than $30,000 then you should have some buyers if these cars or trucks have plenty of pepp to merge into traffic at an adequate pace to not get run over!
pgriff1 Champion Author New Orleans Posts:4,023 Points:1,230,380 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:25:54 PM Ignore pgriff1 Report Abuse just as long as it is better than a Ford Pinto
Laszlo01 All-Star Author Georgia Posts:835 Points:169,370 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:24:08 PM Ignore Laszlo01 Report Abuse that dont impress me much
copperhead8 Champion Author Boston Posts:10,757 Points:1,846,370 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:19:55 PM Ignore copperhead8 Report Abuse Not for me....
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:12,823 Points:2,547,205 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:17:57 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse I don't believe that it is likely for a fair priced hydrogen fuel-cell car to be on the road for at least 30 years.
byoftDad Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,045 Points:754,970 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:16:58 PM Ignore byoftDad Report Abuse Can you imagine what it would be like to be going down the road in your hydrogen car when it explodes? Are they going to provide ejection seats and parachutes to help the poor saps that swallow this bunk and buy one of those cars? Hydrogen was what they used in the Hindenburg airship that blew up and burned many years ago. It is very dangerous to mess with.
oldosc8 All-Star Author Baltimore Posts:503 Points:123,835 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 12:08:11 PM Ignore oldosc8 Report Abuse Good marketing point for GM. The American car companies have to develop excellent hydrogen cars and come out with them at a descent price to the public before the foreign companies do first for a change.
eaglev Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,371 Points:609,615 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:57:33 AM Ignore eaglev Report Abuse I'm glad the it is working also. By the way Lgwhitlock I have a hybird and I have an 8 year warranty on the battery. They are expensive, about $1800 right now.
Hugo40 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,743 Points:651,010 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:57:14 AM Ignore Hugo40 Report Abuse There is always some new ideas out there but what we all need is a marketable economical idea for the auto makers.
lgwhitlock Champion Author Chico Posts:2,829 Points:723,275 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:54:01 AM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse I for on am glad to hear the test is going well s a hydrogen fuel cell would be far superior to battery electric and hybrids which will likely be less green that traditional cars due to the replacement of batteries every 3-5 years. Plus just break down water into it's components and you get the hydrogen needed. To me this will be the ultimate green vehicle technology when it comes to market...
Jeff4U Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,289 Points:882,100 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:52:33 AM Ignore Jeff4U Report Abuse If you're willing to drive one of those little tiny Smart Cars, then there's no reason to worry about hydrogen cars. (but good luck refueling) [Edited by: Jeff4U at 3/19/2010 2:53:01 PM EST]
sit All-Star Author Cleveland Posts:803 Points:992,805 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:50:25 AM Ignore sit Report Abuse Hmmm, where do we get hydrogen from?
eddyp94 Champion Author Ontario Posts:4,166 Points:870,410 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:47:40 AM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse only time and speed will tell...
MINER Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:8,437 Points:2,471,195 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:46:12 AM Ignore MINER Report Abuse Boy, doesn't that rase your spirits....
RocketmanC99 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,263 Points:441,905 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:44:44 AM Ignore RocketmanC99 Report Abuse That makes me feel safer.
gasokie All-Star Author Oklahoma Posts:546 Points:577,790 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:43:19 AM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse Wrecks happen but hydrogen filling stations don't.
Jeeputtputt All-Star Author Cincinnati Posts:708 Points:181,680 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:39:23 AM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse Ya'all call that an accident!! That Equinox is still driveable............ I'll wait for the real crash like everyone else, in the meantime lets go to NASCAR...
Jarod13 Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,885 Points:639,475 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:35:52 AM Ignore Jarod13 Report Abuse It's about time that GM came up with something that works.
Paw5X Champion Author Gary Posts:5,714 Points:1,543,120 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:33:40 AM Ignore Paw5X Report Abuse Sounds good, but how cost effective are they?
Grismer Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:3,702 Points:766,290 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:28:54 AM Ignore Grismer Report Abuse In the short run, so far, so good.
balljars Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,643 Points:723,325 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:26:29 AM Ignore balljars Report Abuse Thats a good report.
plebe2001de Champion Author Delaware Posts:1,067 Points:219,665 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:25:08 AM Ignore plebe2001de Report Abuse This is great news for fuel cell energy and for GM.
nehemiah Champion Author Portland Posts:1,017 Points:135,295 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:24:46 AM Ignore nehemiah Report Abuse looks promising; how much and where can I get one?
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,756 Points:1,488,035 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:24:32 AM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse the two most common elements in the universe? Hydrogen and stupidity--not necessarily in that order.
fordmexico Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,161 Points:181,425 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:21:51 AM Ignore fordmexico Report Abuse afghaned posted, "Thank God they're not Pintos with Hydrogen!!!" Thank God they're not Toyotas with Hydrogen!
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:8,080 Points:911,685 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:13:28 AM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse irrelevant data; tests which can't be reproduced; I've been in horrific accidents which destroyed the vehicles; but I held up. nintynine percent luck and one percent scientific fact.
BrucePen Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,788 Points:593,745 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:10:23 AM Ignore BrucePen Report Abuse Thats a heck of a way to test for safety.
lightbulbman2008 Champion Author Worcester Posts:43,251 Points:650,410 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:03:13 AM Ignore lightbulbman2008 Report Abuse Hindenburg?
Plebe2001 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,271 Points:409,925 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 11:02:22 AM Ignore Plebe2001 Report Abuse I am glad to see that there have not been any major problems with the vehicles that have been in accidents. I hope that this experience continues as this has been only a very very small sampling. I think that the fuel cell technology is one of the better alternative energy projects and a much better idea that an all electric car.
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,147 Points:1,011,310 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:59:52 AM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse Interesting point, what if there is an explosion in a head-on collision at 60mph?
vegaland Champion Author Houston Posts:2,403 Points:501,795 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:58:14 AM Ignore vegaland Report Abuse What are these things going to have to sell for? GM needs to make some cars that will sell instead of all these concept cars with a very limited market at below cost prices.
INDY51 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,495 Points:338,020 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:57:15 AM Ignore INDY51 Report Abuse MORE RESEACH IS NEEDED SO THEY DON'T END UP LIKE TOYOTA
PAofFA All-Star Author Trenton Posts:854 Points:196,940 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:52:02 AM Ignore PAofFA Report Abuse A low-speed accident produced THAT? Not for me...
Lasing Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:8,627 Points:1,360,525 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:51:50 AM Ignore Lasing Report Abuse I am glad this one did not explode, but I don't see a bright future in hydrogen. CNG is not a bad idea either, but the infrastructure is not in place. Without demand, it never will be. For now, it has very limited application in cars. The Volt is electric, but also uses gas. The infrastructure is already in place, so it has a better chance at success. If people that can afford them (unfortunately not me), actually buy them, they might pave the way for better, more affordable electric cars in the future. Only time will tell.
tarheelcoastie All-Star Author Greensboro Posts:549 Points:204,735 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:51:33 AM Ignore tarheelcoastie Report Abuse At least it is not called the Hindenburg or Hindy!
2granny Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,237 Points:488,050 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:41:32 AM Ignore 2granny Report Abuse I'll wait on this one.
esquared Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,938 Points:1,144,100 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:41:05 AM Ignore esquared Report Abuse CNG still looks to be the preferable alternative fuel.
walkit1 Champion Author Memphis Posts:1,254 Points:719,650 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:36:52 AM Ignore walkit1 Report Abuse I do not think we will go this way, hydrogen fuel in large amounts is a long way off!
orestroker All-Star Author Portland Posts:653 Points:707,380 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:31:45 AM Ignore orestroker Report Abuse Let's try hitting one with a train. More and more intercity rail line are being introduced.
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,686 Points:247,170 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:25:53 AM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse I've long believed that hydrogen is a viable alternative fuel source. Hydrogen is one of our planet's most abundant resources.
hwmillerster Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,853 Points:498,190 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:25:43 AM Ignore hwmillerster Report Abuse No massive explosion caused by collisions with hydrogen powered cars. Of course, gasoline powered cars can't burst into flames? Right?
reeko Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,284 Points:557,765 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:24:58 AM Ignore reeko Report Abuse what could possibly go wro.... KA BOOM! (what were they thinking?) "Drill here. Drill now. Dig coal. Build nukes."
hibsaw Champion Author Mississippi Posts:3,123 Points:718,050 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:20:10 AM Ignore hibsaw Report Abuse Promise maybe, just not for me.
LostAgain2009 All-Star Author New Mexico Posts:559 Points:205,995 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:16:09 AM Ignore LostAgain2009 Report Abuse Let's go big H. Another good technology that will help down the road.
Tamas2evil Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:4,420 Points:783,975 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 19, 2010 10:15:12 AM Ignore Tamas2evil Report Abuse now does this mean you have to run filtered water or can you use salt water, etc???