Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell  General Motors has been “playing”
with hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles since the 1960s. The
company’s vintage Electrovan ran—barely—on one massive fuel
cell. Thirty-five years later, GM was still at it when it
introduced its unique fuel cell architecture that encased the
powertrain and energy storage equipment into a thin horizontal
layer—dubbed a “skateboard.” This was supposed to signal a
possible new approach to engine layout and placement. But GM was
forced back to earth when it came time to putting real high-tech
rubber on the road. The company left much of its lofty designs
in the lab—and created a 100-strong fleet of Chevy Equinox SUVs
that run on hydrogen.  1966 Electrovan  In 1966, GM scientists
and engineers demonstrated the world’s first fuel cell vehicle,
a converted GMC Handivan called the Electrovan. A science lab on
wheels, it took two years and a team of 250 people to make the
vehicle drivable and demonstrate the potential feasibility of
fuel cell technology.