The Honda FCX Clarity

This beautiful four-passenger vehicle is the Honda Clarity. Instead of using a polluting gas powered combustion engine, the Clarity is a fuel cell vehicle. To create power it combines hydrogen (the most plentiful substance in the universe) with oxygen, and the resulting exhaust is nothing more than water vapor. It does NOT need to be plugged in to recharge the batteries - all the energy is created in the fuel cells.

Performance wise, it has a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h) - more than sufficient for highway travel - and has a range of 270 miles (435 km) between fuel-ups.

This car will be available for lease beginning in the summer 2008. Initial availability will be limited to the Southern California market, with availability expanding as hydrogen fueling stations become available. (Although read further down for a home fill-up alternative). Speaking of fueling up, here’s what the nozzle of one of the hydrogen pumps looks like:

Honda has also developed a home alternative to the fuel station (EEK! No need to drive to a station to fuel up????) It’s called the Home Energy Station (HES). “This home solution can convert natural gas to electricity, heat and hydrogen to refuel fuel-cell vehicles. This allows consumers to refuel vehicles with hydrogen at home, important until hydrogen stations become widespread. Alternatively, the hydrogen can be used in the HES’s built-in hydrogen fuel cell, providing up to 5 kW of normal or backup electricity and/or hot water for the home.” According to Honda, this solution is highly efficient and reduces running costs of electricity, gas and vehicle fuel by up to 50%.

If you’re concerned about your individual carbon footprint contributing to global warming - a 50% reduction in your car’s energy usage, and nearly 100% reduction in pollution is a HUGE thing!!!

Is it safe? Six airbags are standard, as are anti-lock braking systems (ABS) Vehicle Stability Assist, and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) systems. Sensors are provided throughout the fuel system, so in the event of a crash (or hydrogen leak) an automatic system closes the main cut-off valves on the hydrogen tanks or supply lines as necessary.

Is it expensive? The lease amount will be around $600 per month for three years and it includes maintenance. This amounts to around $21,000 for the lease - but I imagine like anything else the price will come down as the vehicle is mass produced. (Note - there will be a big tax break if you ever do buy one - in July 2007 the IRS announced that the Honda’s FCX had met the requirements of the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as a qualified fuel cell motor vehicle. Purchasers of the 2005 and 2006 Honda FCX concept cars are eligible for a $12,000 Section 30B(b) credit.)