Honda unveiled its Honda FCX
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Honda Motor Co. has finally
unveiled its next-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle last Thursday with the
announcement that it would begin producing a small number of vehicles that will
be marketed in
The new Honda FCX is made more
sporty and sleeker as compared to the current version that has a top speed of
100 mph. It also has a longer range from 210 miles to 270 miles and of course a
fuel cell power system that is 400 pounds lighter. Its auto parts such as air induction and
others were also modified to function on hydrogen fuel.
The introduction of the FCX was
right on timing since there is a growing concern for the greenhouse gas
emissions not to mention the calls in Congress to dramatically raise fuel
economy standards to minimize exhaust emissions.
Hydrogen vehicles provide lower
net carbon dioxide emissions. Plus it can help end
But thanks to companies like
Honda which is at present is looking at an experimental home energy station
that is making use of natural gas supplied to most homes to produce hydrogen
fuel, hot water, heat, and electricity. According to Ben Knight, Honda’s vice
president for research in the
He further added that the next
generation FCX is a “quantum leap forward”. The FCX will also be given a much
higher price tag at least $500 more totaling to only a fraction of the
approximate $1.5 million production cost of each Hydrogen fuel celled Honda.
Honda has already sold 30 units
of their eco-friendly car worldwide. Mr. Knight also said that the production
of the FCX model would eventually surpass the current fleet. Just to give
customers a taste of what the FCX has to offer Honda has leased one to a family
in
The FCX when accelerating gives
off a sound similar to a jet engine rather than a conventional gasoline engine.
It is also has superior acceleration as compared to the current model that has
a top speed of only 100 mph. Honda has also assured that the production vehicle
will be similar to the concept showed last Thursday complete with the upgraded
bumpers and revised interior.
Honda is not the only automaker
that is conducting research on hydrogen vehicles; most major carmakers have
spent billions on research alone.
It can be remembered that
General Motors has said that it would introduce the world’s largest fleet of
hydrogen-powered Chevrolte Equinox SUVs by means of its “Project Driveway”
program in
Ford Motor Co. is also working
on its plug-in electric hydrogen-powered vehicle with a range of 225 miles
which will be called HySEries Edge. In addition Ford will have a fleet of
hydrogen powered E-450 shuttle buses aside from hydrogen vehicles.
DaimlerChrysler for its part will also be producing 100 hydrogen fuel cells to
be distributed worldwide and that includes the 25 units destined for
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