5.8.2004
GM and Suzuki first in Japan approved to use advanced hydrogen storage system

GM and Suzuki today became the first automakers in Japan to receive approval for a compressed hydrogen storage system that allows its fuel cell vehicles to travel farther on a tank of hydrogen. GM's Alliance Partner, Suzuki, will use the state-of-the-art 700 bar (10,000 psi) system in its next-generation fuel cell vehicle, which will be unveiled later this year.

GM is currently using the advanced hydrogen storage system in several of its fuel cell vehicles operating on public roads in North America and Europe.

The 700 bar system can increase the range of fuel cell vehicles by up to 50 percent over a comparably sized 350 bar (5,000 psi) system, currently used by the rest of the industry. To date, GM is the only automaker operating vehicles with the 700 bar system.

GM is working with governments around the world to help establish a global set of standards around fuel cell technology. GM is using liquid hydrogen storage in several of its worldwide fleet of fuel cell vehicles, including the HydroGen3 vehicle currently operating in Tokyo and Yokohama as part of GM's membership in the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project. In addition, GM has an extensive network of academic and commercial partnerships around the world, exploring a variety of next-generation hydrogen storage solutions.