Over the next six months, the USDA will be using a Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicle to transport top leadership and Congressional Relations Staff on official business on Capitol Hill -- petroleum free -- while providing valuable real-world performance feedback to GM. The vehicle is fueled with hydrogen and zero greenhouse gases are released. The only tailpipe emission is clean water vapor.
"With each partner that participates in Project Driveway we gain valuable
insight on this important advanced automotive technology that may not have
been identified in our internal test mechanisms," said
The partnership with the USDA is part of the Department of Energy's (DOE) hydrogen and fuel cell research, development, and demonstration efforts.
"Solutions to our nation's energy challenge will come from a variety of
renewable sources," said USDA Secretary
GM will provide the maintenance, fuel and service of the vehicle. Fueling
for the USDA is being provided at the Shell Benning Road station in the
Northeast community of
Since Project Driveway's launch in November of 2007, it has put more than
100 Equinox fuel cell vehicles in the hands of business partners, government
agencies, members of the media, celebrities and the general public who have
volunteered through Chevy.com. To date, more than 3,200 test drives of varying
lengths have been conducted. Currently, the program has launched in
The first market test of its size and reach, Project Driveway is an important facet of Chevrolet's "Gas Friendly to Gas Free" strategy to offer advanced technologies that enable a variety of fuel solutions.
About General Motors:
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been
the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM
today employs about 266,000 people around the world. With global headquarters
in
SOURCE General Motors Corporation