Last week I got the chance to test drive the Chevrolet Sequel, a new prototype from GM that runs on hydrogen-powered fuel cells. Its main claim to fame is this: Unlike earlier fuel cell cars, the Sequel can go up to 300 miles without refueling (previous cars can only go up to 200 miles).

It also has steer- and brake-by-wire controls, which means the steering and braking is controlled electronically rather than hydraulically or mechanically. Supposedly this offers increased safety, better fuel efficiency, and the opportunity for road feel customization (it's like an audio equalizer, only for motion simulation). I like to think of by-wire steering and brakes as the world's most advanced video game controllers.

But of course the biggest benefit is the zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell technology that makes the Sequel go. Essentially, three tanks on the bottom of this car are filled with hydrogen, which fills the energy-creating fuel cell that powers the engine. The car gives off zero emissions, which means the only thing going out into the atmosphere is steam. And hydrogen is the most plentiful element in the universe, so there's plenty of it (you'll still need to buy it from, say, Shell, which is one of several gas companies working on a hydrogen fuel initiative).

Of course, whether hydrogen fuel cell technology wins out as the big alternative to gasoline remains to be seen—it really depends on whether hydrogen becomes widely available at fuel stations (or at least extractable from some kind of home water-to-hydrogen converter). So far, I'm liking the zero emissions aspect of hydrogen, though fully-electric cars can also make the same environmentally-friendly claim. And unlike corn- or sugar-based Ethanol—a cleaner fuel that's big in the Midwest and Brazil—hydrogen won't lead to fuel providers cutting down more trees.

Though I was only able to drive up to 55 miles an hour, I found the Sequel's pick-up to be plenty like a standard rental-car-variety gasoline car (GM says it goes from 0 to 60mph in just 10 seconds, but I wouldn't know since I only went 55). Though GM has no plans to actually release the Sequel or other hydrogen fuel cell cars on a widespread basis until at least 2010, the company will offer 100 hydrogen fuel cell versions of the smaller Equinox in September 2007 to a select group of consumers in the New York , Washington , D.C., and Los Angeles areas (where Shell will also build a few prototype hydrogen-fuel-tank-equipped stations). In addition BMW and Honda are working on hydrogen fuel cell cars.

Given the bad news at Ford and Chrysler last week, it's encouraging to see that at least GM appears to have a fuel-efficient future in mind. I'll be following up as I find out more, since it's a story that interests me (not to mention hybrid-loving rock stars like the Red Hot Chili Pepper's Anthony Kiedis, pictured, who also test drove the Sequel last week). If there anyone out there who uses Ethanol regularly can chime in with their experiences and opinions, post away.