The Navy has taken delivery of one of the state’s first GM fuel cell vehicles as part of the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative.

General Motors and 11 partner companies, agencies and universities in Hawaii announced a commitment Dec. 8 to promote the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the state. GM said it would bring in 20 of its hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Equinox SUV’s by the end of the year as part of  the program.

The goal of the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative is to install as many as 25 hydrogen fueling stations in the state by 2015.

The Gas Co., which will supply the hydrogen for the vehicles, is moving ahead with its plans to install the first nonmilitary hydrogen fueling station at its Kamakee Street facility in Kakaako. The Equinox and other hydrogen-powered vehicles use fuel cells rather than internal combustion engines as their motor.