Opel Zafira Fuel Cell Marathon

Press Release

From Hammerfest to Lisbon: 10,000 km across Europe

Zurich. By staging a unique marathon drive across Europe, General Motors (GM) and Opel are getting ready to test the durability and day-to-day reliability of their fuel cell propelled vehicles. The long-distance journey for the hydrogen-powered prototype, "HydroGen3" (based on the Opel Zafira) will cover a distance of around 10,000 km and will pass through 14 countries. The ordeal will be divided into 20 stages covering an average of 500 km a day, starting on May 3, 2004, in Hammerfest (Norway), Europe's most northerly town. The "Opel Fuel Cell Marathon ¡V powered by GM" will finish on June 11 in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon and Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of the European continent. The vehicle is propelled by a 60 kW/82 hp electric motor, with a fuel cell generating the necessary electrical energy from liquid hydrogen stored in the on-board tank. During its unusual journey, the HydroGen3 with its pioneering fuel cell propulsion concept will stop over in 14 cities, where interested spectators will be able to experience the marathon runner at first hand. The people in these European cities will also have the opportunity to visit a travelling exhibition to learn all there is to know 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 be driven by journalists and celebrities from the 14 countries. Dr. Byron McCormick, the 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." And when it comes to testing, the fuel cell prototype has certainly been put through the mill: So far, the HydroGen3 vehicles have undergone a total of 132 different testing procedures all over the world and under all conceivable climatic conditions. The outcome of the 10,000 kilometer drive across Europe is not predictable. It will throw up fresh challenges like the enormous variety of road conditions. Other imponderables are the temperature differences of over 40¢X C, the steep mountain passes in the Alps, and violent downpours around the Mediterranean. The ¡§Opel Fuel Cell Marathon ¡V powered by GM¡¨ is supported by Linde AG and Shell Hydrogen B.V. Worldwide, some 600 employees in the United States, Japan and Germany are working as part of GM Fuel Cell Activities (FCA) on getting the fuel cell vehicle on the production line. For more information on the "Opel Fuel Cell Marathon ƒ{ powered by GM", visit www.marathon.gm.com