The fourth generation of fuel cell vehicles, the HydroGen4, is also completely tailpipe emission-free – only water vapour comes out of its exhaust pipe. The HydroGen4’s fuel cell stack consists of 440 series-connected cells, in which hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air. No combustion takes place, instead, an electro-chemical reaction produces electricity to drive the electric engine. The only by-product is water; no harmful tailpipe emissions are produced.

The fuel cell has an output of 73 kW (100 hp) and peak power of 94 kW (128 hp). The vehicle accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 12 seconds, and currently reaches a top speed of 100 mph  with an operating range of 210 miles. To cover electric performance peaks, the HydroGen4 has a 1.8 kWh buffer battery.

Extensive European and global studies show the economic viability of establishing a hydrogen infrastructure. When the hydrogen is produced with power from renewable energy resources, not only would sustainable mobility be achieved, but a viable solution for supplying energy to society would also be created. This is due to the fact that by producing hydrogen, energy from fluctuating, renewable sources (wind energy, water energy and solar power) can be stored problem-free over a longer period of time.

The HydroGen4 – is already being put through real world testing in Germany. We are investing in zero-tailpipe emission fuel cell vehicles and continue to intensively pursue even better solutions for the future. As part of the Clean Energy Partnership, we are using the HydroGen4 test fleet together with nine partners to demonstrate the daily use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel for transportation.

The prototypes are already proving their everyday suitability in a pilot project in Berlin, which is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Transport. Since December 2008, ten HydroGen4 vehicles have been in use in the city as part of Opel’s contribution to the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP). They have already covered more than 50,000 miles (as of January 2010).

Nine large companies – ADAC, Allianz, Axel Springer AG, Coca-Cola, Hilton, Linde, Schindler, Total and Veolia – have joined Opel/Vauxhall to test the vehicles in everyday conditions.