Driving closer to reinventing the automobile, General Motors Corp. today revealed a look at Hy-wire, the world's first drivable vehicle that combines a hydrogen fuel cell with by-wire technology.

The GM Hy-wire, appropriately named for its technology, incorporates the features first envisioned in the AUTOnomy concept vehicle at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and the Geneva Motor Show. Hy-wire will be introduced to the public at the Paris Motor Show Sept. 26. . . .

'The fact that we developed Hy-wire as a drivable concept vehicle in just eight months (from its introduction in Detroit) shows our commitment to this technology and the speed at which we are progressing,' said Rick Wagoner, GM's president and CEO.

'With AUTOnomy, GM shared a vision. Hy-wire accelerates our progress with a functional proof of concept which strengthens our confidence in our ability to gain marketplace acceptance of production fuel cell vehicles.'

Larry Burns, GM's vice president of research and development and planning, said, 'We are driving to have compelling and affordable fuel cell vehicles on the road by the end of the decade. With Hy-wire, we have taken the technology as it exists today and packaged it into an innovative drivable vehicle comparable in size and weight to today's luxury automobiles.'

'Under this new program, which we call FreedomCAR, the government and the private sector will fund research into advanced, efficient fuel cell technology, which uses hydrogen to power automobiles without creating any pollution. The long-term results of this cooperative effort will be cars and trucks that are more efficient, cheaper to operate, pollution-free and competitive in the showroom.'

See: www.cartech.doe.gov.

Phase I objectives are set out below and Phase II is now being undertaken.

Implementation of hydrogen vehicle and infrastructure technology can only succeed if the co-ordination of European R&D activities are intensified and technical progress is not hindered by differing regulations and licensing procedures within the EU member states.

This project, which aimed at creating the basis for harmonisation of necessary legislation in Europe, was undertaken in close co-operation with licensing authorities in several EU member states (Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden).

The main objectives of this project were to: identify deficiencies impeding the harmonisation of guidelines, regulations etc., co-ordinate harmonisation in the approaches to standardisation; prepare a well-defined basis for discussion with relevant authorities; integrate the practical experience with hydrogen vehicles in the draft regulations; integrate existing ECE frameworks; and develop concepts for standardised vehicle components and infrastructure.

The particular objectives of the EIHP were:

To create a pan-European database of existing regulations and codes of practice applicable to the use of hydrogen in vehicles.

To contact other pertinent authorities outside Europe (Japan, USA).

To identify weak spots in today's technology.

To define the areas requiring regulation.

To analyse, identify and propose safety concepts.

To integrate ECE guidelines and create a basis of ECE regulation of hydrogen vehicles and the necessary infrastructure (replacing national legislation/ regulations).

As a result, proposals for further investigations and improved safety concepts were compiled, together with concepts for standardised vehicle components, infrastructure components and draft harmonised regulations.

JEVA said the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell (JHFC) demonstration project will be sponsored by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and will examine the 'effectiveness, environmental friendliness and safety of [FCVs].' Additionally, the project will promote public awareness about fuel cells and the use of hydrogen 'as a safe and clean fuel.'

Honda said the FCX achieves 15% more maximum drive motor torque than the company's previous FCV models and also provides improvements in mid- to high-range power output characteristics and acceleration. Additionally, the FCX has an increased driving range of 220 miles, about 25 miles more than the previous model.

The companies said the 10 000-psi hydrogen storage tank features Quantum FSTW's TriShield design, which includes a one-piece permeation resistant seamless liner, a high-performance carbon composite over-wrap and a proprietary impact-resistant outer shell. The system has also been validated according to European Integrated Hydrogen Project standards.

See: www.qtww.com.