GM is conducting a pilot program called Project Driveway that provides 100 hydrogen fuel cell powered cars to drivers in New York, California and Washington, D.C. The vehicle in provided is a hydrogen-powered Chevy Equinox sport utility vehicle.

A writer from the New York Daily News took the vehicle for a test drive and reported, “The Equinox makes a series of mechanical sounds reminiscent of the robot from “Lost In Space,” and off we drive. The brakes are mushy, but the ride is quietly smooth — though not too powerful.”

Hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles have sounded like a great idea for years. We can easily make hydrogen here in the U.S. And vehicles powered by fuel cells emit no harmful gases. Development of the fuel cells still has a ways to go before they are considered viable for mass use in automobiles. Another issue with fuel cell powered vehicles involves refueling. There are a very limited number of hydrogen refueling stations, which is the main reason why Chevy is limiting their pilot to three metro areas.

General Motors isn’t the only major car company with a hydrogen powered vehicle in development. Kia, Mazda, BMW and Honda also have models that they hope to put on the road in large numbers sometime in the future.

The following video gives a preview and explains the technology of the Mazda Premacy, a hydrogen-hybrid mini-van.

This vehicle is scheduled for production in 2009. You can also find a photo gallery of the Mazda Premacy here.