Hey Freak!

This is good news; nay, great news, right?

Honda rolls out new zero-emission car
Honda's new zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car rolled off a Japanese production line Monday and is headed to Southern California, where Hollywood is already abuzz over the latest splash in green motoring.

The FCX Clarity, which runs on hydrogen and electricity, emits only water and none of the noxious fumes believed to induce global warming. It is also two times more energy efficient than a gas-electric hybrid and three times that of a standard gasoline-powered car, the company says.

Japan's third biggest automaker expects to lease out a "few dozen" units this year and about 200 units within three years. In California, a three-year lease will run $600 a month, which includes maintenance and collision coverage. [full story]

Now, there aren't a lot of hydrogen fuel stations (only 3 in Southern CA, I believe), but I think this is a good start. Of course, I'm sure this car will meet with a lot of opposition (hey, we MUST drill in ANWAR for the sake of national security, right?), but hopefully, this technology will prompt America's Big Three automakers to start moving in this direction.

This does sound great.

But might not be perfect.


It appears there may be several methods of producing hydrogen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_production

If they prove cleaner than producing and using petroleum products, we have a winner. We can hope.

If they also prove cheaper, god loves us. I worry that if they are not cheaper, the conversion would be delayed.

From a quick read of the link above it appears that the chemical process using Hydrocarbon Fossils is the most likely candidate. Sounds like this will still be a drillinig or mining issue with a finite resource.

Electrolysis will require generating more electricity than the burning of the hydrogen will produce, so we end up with a net energy loss which might be ok if the generating plant isn't using coal or oil.

Of course, the by product of burning hydrogen is Dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) which kills thousands of folks every year by accidental inhalation.

It is also know as hydroxyl acid and is the major component of acid rain.

I think we can live with these risks, however, because of the great benefits that will be gained.

Fortunes are to be made here, invest early =)))

I'll watch this with guarded optimism.

Hi,

I saw this article too. I like the car but can't find anywhere how much it costs!!!

In your article, there's a line that it's $600 per month to lease. What about to buy?? Does anyone know???

Holly Kay

PS. Glad you're going to be blogging more often. I love your posts.

You can't buy the Clarity yet. It's being introduced on a limited lease only in areas near fueling stations (Irvine, CA for example). It's $600/month for the lease, which includes insurance on the car. This is really a test program this year. It will go into production after that, and be available for purchase. I'm not sure the details, but here is the link:

http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/?from=fcx.honda.com

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