The Chevy Equinox and GM's Real World Driving Test, Project Driveway

Car manufacturing companies are slowly introducing 'green' vehicles before the people that buy them or the government forces them to. Either way it is good news for a person that wants a hybrid or green car of some kind. GM is experimenting with hydrogen-powered cars; The Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity. The best thing about this type of fuel cell is the only by-product is water vapor, so no smog, emissions, or greenhouse gases with out looking like a hybrid car.

The Equinox has been well designed and crash-tested to meet all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards for 2007 in the U.S.; including StabiliTrak the electronic stability control system that has made SUV's much safer. The tank that holds the hydrogen can have up to nine pounds of hydrogen, roughly the energy equivalent of one gallon of gas. Going 50MPH the Equinox can travel about 200 miles on one tank. A major advancement to fuel cell technology is the ability to start and operate in sub-freezing temperature. This fuel cell propulsion system is a single-speed electric motor traction system that provides vehicle with instantaneous torque, meaning, smooth acceleration.

Downside, the fuel cell in the Equinox was engineered for a life span of about 49,700 miles. I know that seems like a lot but I know people can rack up those miles living and working in cities. The payload is limited to 750 pounds; this includes the weight of driver, passengers, and optional equipment and cargo.