1966: GM Introduced the World's First Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
1966: GM Introduced the World’s First Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle In 1966, GM introduced the Electrovan, the world’s first fuel cell electric vehicle. It supplied continuous output of about 32 kilowatts and peak output of 160 kilowatts. 1 1 1996: GM Launched EV1 In 1996, with the launch of the EV1 in the U.S., GM became the first automaker in modern times to market an automobile designed and engineered to run on electric power. 2 2 2007: The Largest-ever Market Test of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles In 2007, GM deployed 100 Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell vehicles and 10 HydroGen4 vehicles as part of Project Driveway – the largest-ever market test of fuel cell electric vehicles. By 2011, the vehicles had logged more than 3.2 million kilometers of real-world driving. 3 3 2010: Extended-range Electric Vehicle Chevrolet Volt In 2010, GM began selling the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle in North America. Its revolutionary Voltec propulsion system delivers up to 80 kilometers of electric driving and up to 490 kilometers of extended range with an onboard 1.4-liter engine. In 2015, Chevrolet launched the next generation Volt with even greater range and fuel economy. 4 4 2012: Lightweight Technology In 2012, GM tested an industry-first thermal- forming process and proprietary corrosion resistance treatment for lightweight magnesium sheet metal that will allow increased use of the high strength alternative to steel and aluminum. In 2014, the GM China Advanced Technical Center (ATC) in Shanghai announced the start of operation of its Vertical Squeeze Casting (VSC) machine – the first in the world for developing next-generation magnesium castings. Magnesium is the lightest metal available for the mass production of automotive materials. Fuel economy improves an estimated 7 percent for every 150-kilogram reduction in weight. 5 5 2015: Affordable, long-range All-electric Vehicle Chevrolet Bolt In 2015, Chevrolet introduced the Bolt EV concept – an affordable, long-range all- electric vehicle designed to offer more than 320 kilometers of range – with a starting price of around $30,000. The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV was revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2016. 6.