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06/18/2008 08:46 AM
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'Green' Car News: Honda's Hydrogen, Toyota hybrids, PHEV Kits
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With gas prices in the U.S. beginning to reflect the true cost of reliance on fossil fuels, automakers are trying to make the most of the moment.
"Green" car news this week is dominated by the U.S. debut of Honda's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, Toyota's hybrid plans and the release of a plug-in hybrid kit by A123 Systems.
Honda (NYSE: HMC) began producing on Monday the first units of its FCX Clarity to be shipped to California. A few dozen units of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which emits only water vapor, will be delivered to high profile customers including actress Jamie Lee Curtis this year.
The company said up to 200 units will be delivered over the next three years. Though the company had 50,000 U.S. requests for the vehicle through its website, it is leasing only a limited number to customers who live near hydrogen refueling stations in Torrance, Santa Monica and Irvine.
Though California Governor Schwarzenegger called for a statewide network of hydrogen refueling stations several years ago, the lack of stations remains the largest roadblock to the adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The Honda FCX Clarity has a range of about 270 miles per tank of hydrogen and can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.
Not to be outdone, Toyota (NYSE: TM) announced two new hybrid models to be powered by lithium-ion battery technology according to a report in PCMag.
One of the vehicles will be a totally new design, larger than the Prius and released under the Lexus brand in 2010, according to the company's head of R&D, Masatami Takimoto.
Details about the other hybrid were not given, though the company said a production version of its iQ microcar will go on sale later this year. The small city car will offer seating for four in a 10-foot long body.
Toyota also recently announced improvements to its hydrogen fuel cell hybrid.
In other news, battery technology company A123Systems has begun selling a new aftermarket kit that can convert the Toyota Prius hybrid into a plug-in hybrid offering extended electric-only range and an increase in fuel efficiency to more than 100 miles per gallon.
The kit retails for just under $10,000 and includes installation at select delarerships. A123 Systems has received funding from GE (NYSE: GE) among others.
