Hold on to your hats and get ready for two conspiracy theories regarding two of Honda's green car projects. That's right, and they both come from the same source, a man named Edwin Black. While the first theory questioning Honda's true green allegiances revolved the compressed natural gas-powered Civic GX, the second involves the hydrogen-fueled FCX Clarity. While highlighting all of the Clarity's best points, including the fact that it uses zero petroleum while running, Mr. Black questions why Honda doesn't offer its hydrogen-car in more markets. Black throws Honda's own reasoning - that there aren't enough refueling stations - out the window. He reasons that the automaker held back its Home Energy Center, which reforms natural gas into hydrogen right in your garage.

Why would Honda sabotage its own hydrogen car? As Black sees it, the project was scaled back so that Honda could continue offering fuel-guzzling SUVs and trucks... and the S2000 roadster. Sorry, but we're not buying this argument. Just like Black's last assertion regarding the Civic GX, a huge number of details are left out in an effort to place all the blame solely on Honda. For instance, how much does it cost to create the FCX Clarity? We're not sure, but even at the current lease rate of $600 per month, the automaker is losing lots of money. Plus, the home refueling station would add a significant chunk again. We could think of more reasons why Black's a bit off, but suffice it to say that we don't agree. Thoughts?


[Source: Edwin Black / The Auto Channel]

At the end of our first day on the road for the Audi Mileage Marathon yesterday, our destination was Washington, D.C. As we rolled into the Capitol area, the Q7 TDI's navigation system attempted to guide us to a local Shell station (Shell is one of Audi's partners on this little adventure and the official fuel supplier) on the north side of town for our first official refueling stop. Interestingly, this particular station dispenses more than just gasoline and ultra low sulfur diesel. It also happens to be the site of one of the few publicly-accessible hydrogen fueling stations in the country. Judging by the GM sign on the top of the hydrogen pump, this is likely on of the stations used for the Project Driveway fuel cell fleet test program in the DC area. Looks pretty conventional doesn't it?

BMW certainly hasn't been shy in promoting its hydrogen-powered vehicles, and that promotion extends into some classrooms. As part of its education/promotion campaign, BMW has issued a document called H2 - Mobility of the Future, and yesterday provided an updated version of the package on this website by clicking on the heading "Educational Projects."

What's in this "educational package"? 31 chapters on the supply of hydrogen, how fossil and renewable energy will continue to play a role in BMW's future and how we'll eventually get to a hydrogen economy. The H2 package also includes "an extensive glossary, a list of additional internet links, as well as a portfolio of exercises specially tailored to the needs of pupils aged 15 and older. Practical notes from Germany's State Institute for Teaching Quality and Education Research (ISB) on the inclusion of the materials in science teaching round off this information pack." Sound like good reading? The Bavarians will mail you a free print copy if you'd like (see details after the jump).

[Source: BMW]

We - and our readers - know quite well that "increase your MPG" claims fly fast and furious in the green car industry. One such claim is that adding hydrogen to your gasoline or diesel fuel line will make your car burn the fuel cleaner and therefore get more miles per gallon. We've tackled the question about whether on-board hydrogen generators can increase your MPG - they don't. No, seriously, they don't - but there have been a lot of people who feel the need to test this system, or at least did back in 2006 (see here and here).

Nonetheless, Hydrogen Hybrid Technologies is hoping that people are ready to give on-board electrolysers and Hydrogen Fuel Injection (HFI) a chance in their own vehicles. HHT says that it has completed field trials of the HFI system and would be more than happy to install the system in your car through its network of "over 140 Certified Installation Centres all across Canada, the United States, and a number of international markets." HHT's words are after the break, but we've gotta recommend reading this before you go to the shop.

[Source: Hydrogen Hybrid Technologies Inc.]

We've been keeping tabs on the Formula Zero racing series since we first heard about it in 2006. Using hydrogen to generate electricity which then powers electric motors to propel these small Formula 1-esque cars around a track, there will be no emissions coming from the vehicles taking part in this race. The first leg of the inaugural 2008 Championship this year will be taking place on August 22 in Rotterdam in The Netherlands. Really, the timing of this event could not possibly be better as the entire world is looking for ways to reduce its oil consumption and even the pinnacle of road racing, Formula 1, is looking to lower its environmental impact.

Six teams are taking part including the U.S.-based team from Lawrence Technical University in Michigan with their Element One and the U.K.- based team from The Imperial College of London. We'll be naturally keeping an eye out for the results. Stay tuned.

[Source: Formula Zero]

We've been following the Ford fuel cell fleet for two years now, and have done our own in-depth test drive of the hydrogen-powered Focus. Ford has been keeping a detailed record of their own experience with these advanced powertrain vehicles and likes what it sees. The company announced today that the Focus Fuel Cell vehicles "performed better than expected" and will be on the road for up to an additional two years thanks to an extension of the program Ford has with the U.S. DOE. Thus far, the advanced fleet has traveled more than 865,000 "real world miles" and these vehicles will go many more before the next-generation hydrogen system is ready around 2010. That system should address weaknesses in the current one, and be able to go farther on a tank of hydrogen, be more reliable and start up when it's below freezing out. Details after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Nearly a year ago, we first laid eyes on a hydrogen-powered moped from the Shanghai Pearl Hydrogen Power Source Technology Company. Although the machine had, um... questionable aesthetics, we were impressed by its 60-mile range at 15 miles per hour and relatively low $2,600 price tag. According to a report on Shanghai Daily, 30 of the hydrogen-fed units have already been exported. By 2011, the Chinese manufacturer hopes to be building 1,000 units per year for sale both in China and abroad. Considering that many electric two-wheelers already cost more than the hydrogen-powered ebike from Shanghai, there could be a real market for these vehicles, though the hydrogen fueling infrastructure is most definitely still in its infancy.

Other brands, such as Suzuki and Intelligent Energy, have plans to introduce hydrogen-powered fuel cell cycles of their own. Both the Crosscage and ENV, though, would surely cost significantly more than their Chinese counterparts.

[Source: Shangai Daily via Faster and Faster]

Click above for more high-res renderings of the Ronn Motors Scorpion

Ronn Motors, the company we introduced you to a while back, plans to properly introduce the world to its Scorpion supercar at the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas. We have very real doubts as to whether the vehicle will function as the company claims. Ronn says its car breaks down water into hydrogen which is then injected into the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine sourced from Acura. Sure, they could get some hydrogen from water and inject it into the engine along with the air/fuel mixture, but at what gain? These systems have been proven not to work many times, though some still claim that their fuel mileage has dramatically increased after installing them. Let's just say we are highly skeptical but would love nothing more than to be proven wrong. In any case, we are looking forward to getting an early glimpse into the production bodywork considering that the renderings that we've seen have been pretty darn impressive, as you can see from our gallery below.


[Source: SEMA]

Last week we ignited some healthy discussion in the comments with my post on the (de)merits of on-board hydrogen generators and injectors. While few could argue with my basic thermodynamic analysis of the process, defenders repeated the claim from producers of these systems that something magical happens when you add hydrogen to the air fuel mixture of an engine. We've looked into this a little further in recent days including with a powertrain engineer that actually understands combustion processes. In the comments on the previous article a number of readers repeated claims that adding H2 gas or the H2/O2 blend has a catalytic effect on the combustion properties. While there is no evidence of this being true, the addition of hydrogen to the mix can have some beneficial effects in certain circumstances.

Hydrogen does indeed have a faster burn rate than gasoline. Blending even a little bit of it with gasoline will indeed increase the burn rate of the mixture. The idea that was put forward in at least one of the comments is that this would faster burn would trigger knocking in the engine that would be detected by the engine management system resulting in retarding of the spark and more of the explosive force pushing the piston down during the power stroke. This is nominally true, but it only applies to newer engines that have knock sensors. There are however a number of problems with this. Read on after the jump for the rest of this discussion.

[Source: Fuel Cell Insider, Popular Mechanics]

Suzuki already has a little experience with vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, as its Crosscage motorcycle concept has been around the block a few times already since it first debuted in Tokyo last year. That two-wheeler is now a running prototype and will again be shown off in its latest form at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Along with the Crosscage will be Suzuki's SX4 FCV, a hatchback with a fuel cell provided by General Motors.

Along with the hydrogen-powered electric machines on display, Suzuki will also debut its new Alto economy car. Built in India by the Suzuki/Maruti joint venture, the seventh-generation Alto will likely get a 1.0-liter engine which will be fully Euro V emissions compliant. While the fuel cell vehicles are likely still a ways off from regular production, the Alto will be on sale in India and in Europe shortly after the Paris Motor Show in October. We've pasted the press release after the break.


[Source: Suzuki]

Click above to enlarge the Mazda Hydrogen RE

As any regular reader of our site is aware, there are many issues with the notion of using hydrogen as fuel which need to be overcome before there is any chance that you'll find yourself refilling your new car at a hydrogen station any time soon. Not the least of these is the fact that there are almost no hydrogen stations in the first place. Also, whether the hydrogen is used in a fuel cell for an electric car or burned directly in an internal combustion engine, there aren't actually any hydrogen-powered cars available today which you can just go out and buy. Mazda may soon change all of that by introducing a hydrogen-powered rotary-engined RX-9. According to Auto Express, the new car will be dual-fuel capable, with clean credentials coming from hydrogen and performance credentials coming from gasoline. Amazingly, the article claims that Mazda's hydrogen RX could be ready for sale as early as 2012.

[Source: Auto Express]

Click above for more pics of Ms. Curtis getting Clarity

Following Ron Yerxa and Annette Ballester's delivery of the first Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell car, Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband, Christopher Guest, have become the second couple in Southern California to receive their new wheels from Honda. So, what does Curtis think of her newfound Clarity? "I really wasn't expecting it to be so luxurious," said Curtis. "It's luxurious, luxurious, luxurious! I love the interior layout, design and access to controls. It is user-friendly and very modern."

While the case for hydrogen as fuel is a topic full of debate, it would be hard to argue that Honda's most recent fuel cell sedan isn't world's better than its first. Styling wise, for sure, the new Clarity is a huge step forward, as is the electricity-generating fuel cell stack. If you want one, don't get your hopes up. The vehicles are only being leased in Southern Cal and Japan, and there won't be many of them available. The official press release is after the break.


[Source: Honda]

One of the biggest cost drivers for electrolyzers and fuel cells is the need for precious metals like platinum to act as catalysts. At $1,700-2,000 per ounce, it can rapidly drive the costs of a fuel cell through the roof. As a result one of the main areas of development in fuel cells has been reduced use of catalysts and new catalyst materials. MIT Chemist Daniel Nocera has been working on this problem and discovered that cobalt and phosphate may make an excellent substitute in electrolyzers. At $2.25 an ounce and $.05 an ounce, respectively the new catalysts have a huge cost advantage and reportedly are just as effective. Nocera and his team came to the realization by studying how photosynthesis in plants works to split water into its component elements. On the fuel cell side Chemist Bjorn Winther-Jensen of Monash University in Australia have developed a polymer material that is as effective as platinum in turning hydrogen and oxygen into electricity and water. While it is not as cheap as the cobalt and phosphate, at $57 an ounce it is still a tiny fraction of the cost of the precious metal.

[Source: Scientific American]

A new study by the National Research Council estimates that up to 2 million hydrogen-fueled vehicles could be on American roads by 2020, with that number potentially rising to 25 million a decade later. However, getting there requires getting past a number of hurdles first. The cost of fuel cells must drop and fueling infrastructure must be put in place. That will take substantial subsidies on the part of both government and manufacturers. The study authors estimate that about $200 billion would be required over the next 15 years to make this happen with $55 billion of that coming from governments and the rest from private industry. That total includes costs for vehicle development and deployment, research and development and infrastructure deployment. In contrast, US ethanol subsidies will reach about $15 billion annually by 2020. Beyond 2023, the costs are expected to drop to the point where the lifetime cost of fuel cell vehicles the fuel to propel them would be competitive with conventional vehicles, making subsidies unnecessary.


[Source: National Research Council, via Green Fuels Forecast]

A quick Google search is all that is required to find hundreds of stories of people who claim to have increased their fuel mileage by installing a hydrogen generator which extracts hydrogen and oxygen from water and funnels the gas into the engine. Some of the claims are pretty wild, and the Japanese company Genepax has again lit a fire under the topic of running a car on water. While the Genepax car uses a conventional fuel cell, most of the "kits" available on the Internet introduce a bit of gas into the engine which is then combusted along with the liquid gasoline.

It is, of course, natural to feel a desire to buy into the hype promised by these systems. The truth, though, is that large fuel economy gains are highly unlikely. Popular Mechanics has decided to build themselves one of these systems for testing. The mag intends to install the finished product in an automobile and report back. We're keenly interested in their findings, though we're pretty sure we already know what will happen. Stay tuned.

[Source Popular Mechanics]