David Shelton of Irvine recently finished his three-month test drive of a hydrogen fuel-cell powered Chevrolet Equinox, one of the first dozen people in the country given a chance to try the General Motors SUV.
Shelton, 46, an amateur musician and a director of information technology at Pacific Life Insurance in Newport Beach, has become an expert at the nuances of alternative-powered vehicles.
Pictured at right in his Equinox aboard the Balboa Island Ferry, Sheldon has bought, leased and test driven four different electric or hydrogen-powered cars since 2001.
Excerpts from a conversation with John Gittelsohn:
Q. How does it feel to be driving a green car when gas prices are shooting up?
A. I don’t gloat, but to the extent I think about it, I feel extremely fortunate.
Q. So now what are you driving?
A. I’m back to my Toyota RAV4 EV (electric vehicle). It’s a 2002 that we actually own. They stopped making them in 2003 and we were able to buy ours.
Q. How does the RAV 4 compare with the Equinox?
A. The Equinox is more comfortable, more luxurious. The RAV4 is more spartan. It doesn’t have XM radio or a built-in cell phone. The Equinox is tuned more for power. The RAV4 is more nimble. The Equinox weighs something like 4,000 lbs. The RAV4 is a compact SUV.
Q. What about the difference between fuel cell and electric?
A. The fuel cell adds complexity. The RAV4 propulsion system is integrated and predictable. The Equinox isn’t as smoothly integrated between the regenerative braking and recharging and acceleration. Even by optimistic projections, it will take five to 10 years to bring fuel cell vehicles to the marketplace. Battery-electric vehicles are coming sooner.
Q. People who got the Equinoxes shared comments at a private online site. What did they say?
A. Overall, the comments were quite positive. There were a few issues. What we would call in IT “unplanned outages.” But the support was outstanding. I only had one “unplanned outage” and I drove a loaner for about 10 days. I wasn’t going into this expecting a flawless experience, so it didn’t bother me.
Q. Is it ready for prime time?
A. Some people were totally jazzed, saying it’s ready, especially with gas prices what they are. For me, being an EV driver for so many years, it’s about getting solutions to market and I don’t think it’s there yet. If anybody has got a sense of urgency, it’s GM.
Q. What are your plans for your next alternative vehicle?
A. I’ve got my sights set on, first, a Chevy Volt, which is supposed to come out at the end of 2010 or early 2011. And second, maybe, there will be the plug-in Prius, which doesn’t interest me as much because the design goals are more modest. The Volt’s range is up to 40 miles. The Prius’ will be 7 or 8 or maybe 10 miles. Another one I’m looking forward to is called the Th!nk.
Q. What’s the Th!nk?
A. It’s originally from Norway. Ford bought an interest in the company in the late ’90s and my first EV was a Ford Th!nk City, a pure battery-electric vehicle that met most of my driving needs. Unfortunately, Ford pulled out of the project. I’d be happy if I could have a Th!nk City and a Chevy Volt in a couple of years.
Q. What do you use for longer trips?
A. I have a backup gas vehicle, a 1996 Audi A4, which I fill up every 2-3 months.
Q. Have you calculated your savings in gas bills?
A. No, but it’s probably thousands of dollars. I drive 12,000 to 13,000 miles a year in my RAV4 EV.
For more information on the Equinox, CLICK HERE.
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