The United Postal Service may be going "green" sometime soon. General Motors has provided the the USPS a Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle as the agency explores ways to save money on fuel and helping the environment at the same time.

"We are looking for a vehicle that operates from a fuel source that reduces -- or eliminates -- our dependence on petroleum products, that is good for the environment, good for our customers and good for the Postal Service," said Walter O'Tormey, vice president, Engineering, as he accepted the keys to the Equinox Fuel Cell that will be tested in Irvine, CA.

"We are very encouraged by GM's fuel cell technology," O'Tormey added. "We also want to explore other options, such as hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid and other 'green' vehicles that will help us continue to provide our customers with reliable service while protecting the environment."

The postal service is getting hard by the higher prices of fuel. The cost of filling up postal vehicles is expected th go up a staggering $600 million this year. Hydrogen fueled vehicles are twice as efficient as an internal combustion engine and can be made in many ways using both traditional and renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and biomass energy.

GM is also looking to gain from the project as they collect data:

"The Postal Service has been an invaluable partner, and they put our fuel cell vehicles through some tough, daily workouts," said Mary Beth Stanek, director of energy and environmental policy & commercialization at General Motors. "We are gaining valuable insight on how these vehicles perform in demanding, real-world situations. By participating in Project Driveway, the Postal Service also is demonstrating the need to develop a hydrogen infrastructure to support fueling these vehicles."

GM subsidiary Chevrolet plans on releasing the first fuel cell vehicle called Volt in a little less than 2 years.