But it's nearly silent and its only exhaust is pure water. The fuel cell HydroGen1, based on an Opel Zafira minivan, has set 15 world endurance records, including a top speed of 85 miles per hour. Its power density exceeds 1.0 kW per liter and 1.0 kW per kilogram. Created by the Advanced Technology Vehicles group and the Global Alternative Propulsion Center, the FCEV Precept carries a 400-cell, 100 kW PEM fuel cell stack operating at 260 to 340 volts.
This concept sedan could deliver better than 100 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent fuel economy, just over nine seconds 0-60 mph acceleration, and 500 miles range. As the first fuel cell powered automotive vehicle, it was rated as a major technical achievement in 1966.Ĭlose on the heels of its stellar success as a diesel/electric hybrid vehicle, the Precept concept sedan wasĭeveloped in a fuel cell version. The Electrovan was considered the most advanced electric vehicle ever built.
With pressurized tanks of liquid hydrogen and oxygen, Electrovan had a continuous output of approximately 32 kilowatts and a peak of 160 kilowatts and could go about 150 miles between its somewhat hazardous refills. The intent of the program was to design a vehicle that could match a standard delivery van in acceleration, performance and driving range. During the 1960s space race, in which fuel cells played a starring role powering the moon missions, GM developed the Electrovan, a modified 1966 GMC van running on fuel cells.