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Purple is the new Green. Honda rolls out the FCX Clarity Hydrogen car.

admin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:25:47 +0000

The new zero-emissions FCX Clarity hydrogen vehicle from Honda rolled off the production line Monday in Japan and is headed to Southern California.

The FCX Clarity, which is powered only by hydrogen and electricity, emits only water. It is two times more energy efficient than a gas-electric hybrid and three times that of a standard gasoline-powered car.

Only a select bunch of lucky consumers get to sign a three year lease for the new FCX Clarity. But it comes at a steep price for some. $600 a month, however, the lease covers all maintenance costs and collision protection.

The fuel cell draws on energy synthesized through a chemical reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen in the air, and a lithium-ion battery pack provides supplemental power. The FCX Clarity has a range of about 270-miles per tank with hydrogen consumption equivalent to 74 miles per gallon, according to the carmaker. It has a top speed of up to 100 miles per hour. Not that anyone should be driving that fast.

Water-fuel car unveiled in Japan

admin — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:05:16 +0000

Japanese company Genepax presents its eco-friendly car that runs on nothing but water.

The car has an energy generator that extracts hydrogen from water that is poured into the car’s tank. The generator then releases electrons that produce electric power to run the car. Genepax, the company that invented the technology, aims to collaborate with Japanese manufacturers to mass produce it.

University of Texas at Austin Puts First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus on the Road in Texas

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:32:40 +0000

AUSTIN, Texas—The University of Texas at Austin and Gas Technology Institute (GTI) have introduced a joint technology program that features the first hydrogen fuel cell bus to be licensed and operated in Texas.

In this program, The University of Texas at Austin, Center for Electromechanics and GTI will operate and evaluate a 22-foot shuttle bus powered by a hybrid electric drivetrain that combines energy provided by both advanced battery electronics and a 20 kilowatt hydrogen-powered fuel cell. The fuel cell hybrid system is expected to give the bus a range of up to 200 miles, three to four times farther than with batteries alone.

Ebus Inc. designed the bus, built specifically for the university and GTI. The bus has full highway capability and has features, such as regenerative braking, that make it exceptionally fuel-efficient.

The partners have also begun installation of the first permanent hydrogen fueling station in Texas at the J.J. Pickle Research Center in Austin.