GM Electrovan, fuel cells were already there in 1966.

How old are fuel cells? On the road, we begin to see something only now, and we may be tempted to think that the first experiments date back no more than a twenty-year period, but delve into the vicissitudes of history And here is a completely different reality.

In fact, the basic principles of hate are something like 200 yearsalthough during his demonstration, the English inventor Sir Humphrey Davy definitely did not have in mind its application in the field of transportation, since no vehicle had yet been invented. The first true FCV was a modified farm tractor in 1959, and shortly thereafter, in 1966, GM developed its first road prototype.

Laboratory at 112 km / h

The car got the name Electrovan and this would not be very practical for mass production, because most of the rear compartment was occupied by hydrogen and oxygen tanks and a fuel cell system consisting of 32 separate modules.

It had an excellent power density for that time and could continuously deliver 32 kW at peak values. to 160 kWThat's enough for the van to go from 0 to 100 km / h in plus or minus 30 seconds and reach a top speed of 112 km / h, while the range ranged from 190 to 240 km.

Too many obstacles

Despite its interesting potential, the Electrovan was never taken on the road. GM has only tested it on its own private tracks for safety reasons, already indicated then as one of the main obstacles to the continuation of the project together with cost and complexity. For similar reasons, the manufacturer eventually abandoned the project and abandoned the prototype shortly after its presentation to the general public.

The fuel cells required the use of platinum, an extremely expensive metal, and the entire car was too heavy, about 3,2 tons, and also not very convenient given the size of the system, which did not leave much room for cargo and passengers.