One of the first things I ever wrote about on Geek-Speak was Hydrogen fuel cell cars, revisiting the subject to explore how a Hydrogen fuel cell works. I have a soft spot for new and innovative technology in cars, and alternative fuels fascinate me… I’ll admit that it’s not so much because of their green credentials, but because they represent great advances in engineering.
UK motoring show Fifth Gear has been testing Honda’s fuel cell car, the FCX-Clarity, and put it on their Web TV feed. I admit that this video is a little older than most of the stuff I’d post (it’s from early December), but here we go anyway:
So, what do you think of it? The car looks pretty big, but when I tested the Insight I was struck by how big that looked too. Somehow, though, it felt small and easy to drive. I love the fact that the Clarity has zero emissions which, at the moment, means you won’t pay car tax on it in the UK, nor will you pay congestion charge.
Downsides? I guess there’s infrastructure – Hydrogen filling stations aren’t exactly widespread at the moment. There’s also the fact that at some point, somewhere, energy must be expended to generate pure hydrogen and the solar idea isn’t really going to work here in Scotland. Perhaps tidal or hydro-electric power though?
I’d love to know what you think about this – and what you think about the prospect of alternative fuels in general. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
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{ 2 comments }
Fantastic article i have read alot about Hydrogen fuel cells and the LA pilot. I cant wait to see them become common place.
My main worry is how will our economy survive the lack of revenue from Fossil fuels and the associated industry's or adversely what will number 11 come up with to hammer us and try to recoup there tax revenue losses.
who knows we may get a reverse water meter on the exhoust pipe.
I don't think it would be long before the Government put a heavy tax on Hydrogen at the pumps – they won't miss an opportunity to get their share of the money :)
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