G.M.'s Fuel Cell Car:Closer Than You Think.

'Fuel cell momentum is now so great that its emergence as a predominant technology appears just short of inevitable,' says GM CEO Rick Wagoner.

GM has launched a test fleet of hydrogen powered fuel cell Equinox SUV's, in New York City, Washington,DC., and Southern California. Called 'Project Driveway' it is the first large scale test of fuel cell electric vehicles. GM differs from other auto developers as it has developed its fuel cell technology in house.

The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle is a zero emission vehicle. But you don't have to sacrifice too much to do your share to save the environment. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds and achieves a top speed of 100 mph. It has room for four passengers and 32 cubic feet of luggage space. It has a range of 150 miles on a full charge. What's more it meets all applicable 2007 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. It has standard front and side impact airbags, anti lock braking system and StabiliTrak stability enhancement technology, to name a few.

The Equinox Fuel Cell looks and drives like any other Equinox crossover. The fuel cell fits into the regular engine compartment, and the battery pack sits under the floor in the middle of the vehicle, while the hydrogen tanks are at the rear. The interior is plush but there is one important difference. Instead of a regular tachometer there is a power indicator to show the amount of power being delivered to the system.

The advantages of electric cars do not stop at zero emission. With fewer moving parts they will be more durable and eventually also cost less than present day cars. GM also hopes that one day each car will produce more energy than it consumes, with the surplus being stored and used at home.

California Town Seeks Bankruptcy Protection.

The city of Vallejo, located about thirty miles northeast of San Francisco, filed for bankruptcy protection Friday. The city faces a $16 million deficit in its fiscal year starting July 1st, caused by increasing employee costs and declining tax revenue.

The City Council voted to seek bankruptcy protection on May 6th after negotiations with its police and firefighter unions failed. Vallejo's finances have come under pressure from the foreclosure crisis and the current economic downturn as revenues from sales tax, property tax and development fees have declined sharply.

Most residents and officials blame the high salaries and benefits of the city's police force and firefighters for the current economic crisis.This is denied by the police and fire fighter unions who claim their emoluments are in line with other Bay Area cities. They claim the financial crunch is due to financial mismanagement by successive city councils.

Vallejo is the largest California city to file for bankruptcy protection, and the first to do so because expenses exceed income. Earlier in 1994, Orange County filed for bankruptcy protection because it lost money in bad investments, and in 2001 Desert Hot Springs filed after losing a lawsuit.

A June 9th deadline is to be set for creditors to challenge the filing. If there are no objections, the city automatically enters bankruptcy protection.