General Motors is closing its fuel cell facility in Honeoye Falls, New York, and relocating operations to the Global Powertrain Engineering Headquarters in Pontiac, Michigan. The OEM has explained that the move will allow for greater synergies with the rest of the powertrain business.
The Honeoye Falls site started operations back in 1999 and now employs around 250 people. Most employees will be offered the chance to relocate to Michigan. According to local media reports, the OEM is expected to vacate the facility in February when its lease expires.
GM’s ‘Project Driveway’ was one of the largest fuel cell demonstration fleets, and included more than 100 fuel cell electric Equinoxes. It kicked off in 2007 and about 100 remain in service now. Drivers have accumulated more than 2 million miles during the course of the programme. The OEM is also involved in the H2I hydrogen project in Hawaii.
While GM continues to research fuel cell technology, cost remains a significant barrier. GM has said it aims to have a commercially viable fuel cell vehicle ready by 2015, but speaking last year, GM’s Chief Executive Dan Akerson estimated that fuel cell vehicles will likely not become a practical option before 2020. Toyota also aims to launch commercial sales of its first fuel cell vehicle in 2015, though the numbers are expected to be small.
A recent report from Pike Research forecasts a re-emergence of interest in fuel cell vehicles as the limitations of battery-electric vehicles are realised. The continued high cost of battery electric vehicles has put off many potential buyers, resulting in a much lower adoption rate than initially expected. Pike predicts a resurgence of fuel cell vehicle interest primarily in those regions that have been investing in hydrogen fuelling infrastructure: Europe in general, and Germany, Denmark and the UK in particular.
