Honda launches hydrogen car production

Japanese auto manufacturer Honda launched the first commercial production of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered car Sunday in Tochigi, Japan, and said its first customers will be in the United States. The four-door sedan, called the FCX Clarity, runs on electricity from a fuel cell battery powered by hydrogen. Steam is its only by-product. ┬á┬á The car boasts a combined (city and highway driving) fuel efficiency of about 72 miles per kg of H2 which, according to Honda's own estimates, is the equivalent of getting about 74 mpg from a gas-powered car. It can be driven for about 280 miles before needing to be refueled. ┬á┬á While many automakers and researchers have prototypes and pilot projects using hydrogen fuel to power fuel cells on electric hybrids, or as a direct fuel source for vehicles with converted engines, there are no hydrogen-powered cars yet available for lease or purchase to the average consumer.┬á┬á Honda claims it is the first company to have a hydrogen car certified for regular commercial use by the US EPA. The FCX Clarity was first introduced as a concept vehicle in 2005 at the Tokyo Motor Show.┬á┬á "This is an important day in the history of fuel cell vehicle technology and a monumental step closer to the day when fuel cell cars will be part of the mainstream," John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda, said in a statement.┬á┬á Honda plans to offer the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity through a lease program from one of three dealerships in California, starting this July. They will be available on a three-year lease for about $600 per month.┬á┬á Among the first owners will be actress Jamie-Lee Curtis and her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest. The biggest problem prospective owners are likely to face is where they can refuel, as there are yet only a handful of hydrogen fuel stations in California, and virtually none anywhere else.┬á┬á *┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á *┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á *┬á┬á