3.5.2004
"Opel Fuel Cell Marathon" - Tough endurance run for Fuel Cell

The "HydroGen3" fuel cell vehicle set out this morning from Hammerfest (Norway) on an endurance test that will cover 10,000 kilometers without a drop of gasoline and with no emissions whatsoever.

The "HydroGen3" fuel cell vehicle set out this morning from Hammerfest (Norway) on an endurance test that will cover 10,000 kilometers without a drop of gasoline and with no emissions whatsoever.

After starting from Europe's most northerly town, and passing through 14 cities on a nearly six-week journey, the "Opel Fuel Cell Marathon - powered by GM" will finish in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon and Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of the European continent.

With this marathon drive across Europe, GM will, for the first time, test the durability and day-to-day reliability of their hydrogen-powered vehicle over a long distance on public roads.

Dr. Udo Winter, Chief Engineer of GM Fuel Cell Activities (GM FCA) in Mainz-Kastel, Germany, explains the background to this torturous test: "Although the HydroGen3 is still a prototype with a lot of hand-made components, we decided to take up the challenge and stage the experiment in public, with all the risks it entails." Over the 20 stages with an average of 500 km a day, the imponderables include not only the enormous variety of road conditions, but also temperature differences of over 40° C, the steep mountain passes in the Alps, and violent downpours around the Mediterranean.

The unusual experiment will be accompanied by a traveling exhibition that will give the public in the 14 stopover cities an opportunity to find out more about fuel cell propulsion and the use of hydrogen as a fuel. In addition, experts from GM's fuel cell development center will give lectures on the current status of fuel cell and hydrogen technology at local universities.

The HydroGen3 will not be driven by specially trained test drivers, but by journalists and celebrities from the individual countries. Dr. Byron McCormick, Executive Director of GM Fuel Cell Activities, says: "The choice of drivers demonstrates that our experiment is taking place under absolutely realistic conditions. The experience we will gain from the day-to-day driving of the car will be an important supplement to our existing test results. At the same time, this trip will illustrate the constant progress we are making in the development of fuel cell vehicles."

Opel Fuel Cell Marathon
May 3, 2004 - Hammerfest (Norway)
May 7, 2004 - Oslo (Norway)
May 10, 2004 - Gothenburg (Sweden)
May 12, 2004 - Copenhagen (Denmark)
May 14, 2004 - Hamburg (Germany)
May 17, 2004 - Amsterdam (Netherlands)
May 18, 2004 - Brussels (Belgium)
May 20/21, 2004 - London (England)
May 24, 2004 - Paris (France)
May 26, 2004 - Rüsselsheim / Darmstadt (Germany)
May 28, 2004 - Zurich (Switzerland)
June 2, 2004 - Salzburg (Austria)
June 4, 2004 - Turin (Italy)
June 7, 2004 - Zaragoza (Spain)
June 8, 2004 - Madrid (Spain)
June 9, 2004 - Lisbon (Portugal)
June 11, 2004 - Cabo da Roca (Portugal)

Click here to learn more.