Honda FCX brings hydrogen clarity 16 | 09 | 2011
HONDA'S HYDROGEN-POWERED car, the FCX Clarity has made a star appearance in Scotland.
While much of the attention has been on the Frankfurt Motor Show (honestly, I hope that's the last time I have to refer to Germany for a while!) Glasgow is hosting the World Hydrogen Technologies Conference.
Attended by more than 150 experts from around the world, the assembled specialists discussed the future of clean energy with hydrogen power playing a key role.
Honda's FCX Clarity is the ultimate solution to pollution free driving. It is fundamentally an electric car with hydrogen creating the electric onboard through a 'fuel cell stack'.
The stack creates electricity from a reaction between hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen. This reaction has only one emission, pure water which comes out of the tailpipe in the form of vapour.
Honda unveils its ninth-generation Civic
Refuelled from empty to full in less than four minutes, the FCX Clarity drives and handles just like a petrol car and has a range of 288 miles. Top speed is more than 100 mph and with ample space for adults plus luggage.
The car is already being leased in America and Japan, as there's an emerging infrastructure to support hydrogen-powered cars in those countries.
How long before we see hydrogen cars in use in the UK? Well, let's just say it won't be tomorrow. Introducing a fuel cell car to the UK requires the development of similar refuelling stations.
In response to this, Honda — in cooperation with BOC and Forward Swindon (the economic development agency for Swindon Borough Council) — is launching the UK's first public hydrogen refuelling station, just off the M4, at Honda's Swindon car plant, on September 20.
First sight of all-new Honda CR-V
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars
Jim McGill
CAPTION: Fergus Ewing, Scotland's Minister of Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, takes his seat in the Honda FCX Clarity as Prof Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Strathclyde University, gives him some environmental tips.