GM's New Fuel Cell Zafira Geared for Cold Weather

General Motors is introducing a hot new fuel cell vehicle that's a cold weather treat. Called the Opel Zafira, it's built off the automaker's most popular European passenger van. But the key to the concept is a fuel cell stack achieves full power nearly 12 times faster in freezing conditions than the same design achieved recently, according to the automaker.

Just six months ago GM demoed a fuel cell stack that at –20 degrees C took more than six minutes to get to full power. The current generation fuel cell stack is significantly faster ever at even lower temperatures. For instance, at –20 degrees C full power is achieved in just 30 seconds and at -30 degrees C power is achieved in just 60 seconds. An advanced operational fuel cell stack for automotive use is a breakthrough that brings clean, affordable transportation another step closer to reality, says GM President Richard Wagoner.