"HYDROGEN1" At The Sydney Olympics
.
Marathon Task For GM Fuel Cell Vehicle - Zero-Emission, Hydrogen-Fueled Zafira To Pace World´S Leading Athletes
.

Opel "Hydrogen1"

Photo: Opel

Rüsselsheim, Germany - Holden (General Motors' Australian affiliate) will showcase a leading edge, zero-emission concept vehicle developed by Opel, during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Known as "HydroGen1", the fuel cell vehicle that runs on pure hydrogen has been selected to lead the men's and women's Olympic marathons in Sydney on September 24 and October 1 respectively.  

"We think it is extremely appropriate that a vehicle that is leading the way in future fuel technology will also lead the world's best long-distance runners in this legendary Olympic contest," said Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Peter Hanenberger. "It is a demonstration of General Motors' commitment to technological and environmental leadership and more specifically to producing vehicles which offer economical use of resources," he added.  

Based on Opel's Zafira compact van (which Holden will be introducing to the Australian market early next year), "HydroGen1" complements the 3500-strong vehicle fleet Holden is supplying as Official Olympic Partner for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and Provider to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay.  

In keeping with the 'Green Games' philosophy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, "HydroGen1" is entirely pollutant-free. It emits only water vapor. It is a forerunner of tomorrow's cars, representing another major step forward on the way to a volume-production, fuel cell vehicle. GM researchers and engineers view fuel cell propulsion as an ideal platform for vehicles ranging from personal use, to commercial trucks to transit buses and trains, and they believe that high-volume production is achievable this decade.  

"HydroGen1" is an advanced, road-going concept car which already meets the demands of everyday driving. Propelled by a 55 kW / 75 hp three-phase electric motor, it is a five-seater with a top speed of 140km/h and a range of about 400 kilometers. The electric current is generated by a fuel cell stack that consumes pure hydrogen. The stack consists of 200 individual cells arranged in series and measuring only 590 x 270 by 500 millimeters (length x width x height), making it just as compact as a conventional gasoline or diesel engine. Its continuous power output is 80 kW / 109 hp and its peak output 120 kW / 163 hp. The liquified hydrogen is transported in a specially insulated, 75-liter tank at minus 253 degrees Centigrade.  

The vehicle was developed at GM's Global Alternative Propulsion Center (GAPC) located in Mainz-Kastel, Germany; Rochester, New York (U.S.A.); and Warren, Michigan (U.S.A.). For the 250 specialists at GAPC, the most important future objectives include developing lighter and more compact fuel storage technologies and contributing to the development of the infrastructure that will ensure widespread availability of hydrogen. According to GAPC Co-Director Dr. Erhard Schubert, "hydrogen is most definitely the fuel of the future. A propulsion system using hydrogen fuel cells has optimum efficiency, emits nothing but water vapor, runs practically noise-free and, at the same time, is fun to drive."  

"HydroGen1" is one aspect of GM's transportation vision as expressed earlier this year by Vice Chairman Harry J. Pearce: "At General Motors we believe that we will indeed have a hydrogen based transportation system sometime in the future and we are perhaps not smart enough to predict precisely when that is going to be. But it will indeed occur in our judgement."  

(September 7, 2000)