How the Honda FCX Fuel Cell Works

This alternative fuel vehicle uses compressed hydrogen as its onboard fuel, instead of gasoline. It does this using an electric motor to run on electricity that is generated by a fuel cell stack that uses hydrogen as an energy source.

Fuel cells have generally been considered impractical two reasons. First off, they were expensive to produce, making them less than cost effective. Secondly, because most fuel cells tend to have an internal vapor environment, if temperatures were to reach below freezing, the fuel cell tended to freeze up – making it where the fuel cell (and you car) couldn’t start up.

According to Honda their FCX fuel cell stack has been designed to withstand sub-freezing temperatures and is proven to have dependable cold-start performance.

Highlights of the FCX

The Clarity has a 267 mile driving range, which is more than a 50 mile improvement over past models. This makes it the perfect car to drive in, and around, the city for work and other commuter type tasks.

There is also a motor-controlled traction control system (TCS) for traction on slippery, or snowy, roads – assuring peace of mind while driving in less than perfect conditions.

Its 134 horsepower electric engine has 3,056 rpm torque and reaches an estimated top speed of 93 miles an hour, slightly less than a normal gasoline car, but good for an electric automobile.

The safety features include 3-point seat belts in all seats, dual-stage and dual-threshold front airbags (SRS), side curtain airbags, Anti-lock brakes (ABS), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), child-proof rear door locks, emergency trunk release, driver and front passenger seat belt reminder, and daytime running lights.

Some of the exterior features that come standard are a security system and remote entry system with trunk release.

For comfort and convenience, the Clarity offers dual-zone automatic climate control, a satellite linked navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free link, rear and front beverage holders, remote start key, power door locks, and a 12-volt power outlet.

Unlike other fuel cell stacks, the Honda Claity FCX has no CO2 or other harmful emissions.

Clarity Get’s Accolades

For many of the above reasons the Honda FCX was named the “World Green car” in 2009, showing just how far it has passed the rest of the cars in its class, and making it stand out as one of the best hydrogen vehicle option available right now.

Home Hydrogen Station

Additionally, Honda has prepared a hydrogen refueling station that makes refueling a convenient. This station is small enough to put in the garage and not only produces energy for use in Clarity’s fuel cells, but also supplies electricity and hot water to the house as it does so.

Ford announced recently that they will be investing approximately $135 million toward designing, engineering, and producing key components for five new hybrid vehicles they plan on making statewide. These next generation Ford hybrid-electric vehicles, and their components, will go into production in 2012 here in the United States and will create much needed economic stimulus for a Michigan populous that has been hard-hit by the recession.

The Long-Term Plan

One way that they are doing this is by bringing home green technology jobs that were being out-sourced to other countries.

The advanced lithium-ion battery packs that were previously been produced by a supplier in Mexico will now be done in the Rawsonville plant. These are specifically designed for the new 2012 line, which will include the new global CD-car platform hybrid, and the new global C-car hybrid.

The Van Dyke Transmission Plant will produce the electric drive transaxle (a combined front axle and transmission) that is currently done by a supplier in Japan. The new electric, front wheel drive, transaxle will be internally designed and engineered to be used in the five models of Ford Hybrids.

According to one spokesman, these five models will make up a large part of Ford’s full lineup of green vehicles and are likely to put them on the frontline of green vehicle development. And that is a place they want to be. The larger goal is to make an entire family of hybrids, and full electric vehicles, available to Ford customers throughout the world. Ford is well on the way to achieving this goal.

Current Progress

The 2001 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is a good example of how Ford is scaling up to reach that target. By using technology from the best selling U.S. Hybrid, the Ford Fusion, they are avoiding redesigning an award winning and already highly functional system. They are, however, refining the Fusion system in order to improve its 41 miles to the gallon gas mileage, and fine-tuning the way the power shifts from the motor and engine.

This Lincoln MKZ will have a revamped body style and interior this year as well. The exterior will boast stretched tail lights, new trim, updated dashboard and gauges, including a SmartGauge that has an EcoGuide.  The interior will have eco-friendly veneers, and leather seats that use a chromium-free tanning process.

When everything in said and done, this will be the premier luxury hybrid sedan, both in features that are offered and overall good gas mileage. Aimed at an eco-conscience market, this is likely to appeal to those who have the money to spend on a useful ecologically friendly luxury car.

The Re-Cap

For green car fans that are looking for a purer breed of hybrid, they may want to wait for the new generation line, which will have more to offer electric aficionados with a lineup that will include the Transit Connect Electric, Focus Electric, the next-generation C-car platform, and the C-max Hybrid Electric.

In the meantime, Ford is continuing its efforts in forwarding hybrid technology to a wider range of its vehicles and products, improving existing product efficiency, and is consistently moving toward the goal of having as-much-as 25 percent of its vehicles powered by electric motors and batteries in the coming decade.

This year is an important anniversary for Jaguar and they, appropriately, started it out with a bang. Supported by the Heritage Trust and Jaguar Cars, Jaguar showcased their iconic ‘works team’ in the 2010 Mille Miglia revival event in Italy to celebrate their most prestigious models.

However, Jaguar hasn’t only been looking to the past this year – they are also preparing for a ground-breaking future.

In a recent press release, Jaguar Land Rover proudly announced that they have received governmental funding to help them speed up the development of technologies that will significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Since this funding was awarded to them, they have started 16 new development projects, including a Turbine Hybrid Jaguar that is causing a considerable stir among consumers as they await a glimpse of the expected prototype.

Compared to Past Turbine Cars

A turbine propulsion system was tried by Chrysler a few years ago, with their Turbine Coup line, but their cars had problems. The throttle lagged, there were high exhaust temperatures, low-end torque, and there were only mediocre results in fuel economy to show for it. In general, the electric turbine system was not suited to the rapid acceleration cycles required for quick stop-and-go driving. Still, for steady acceleration and maneuverability, the electric power generated by the turbine systems was more than sufficient.

We will see is Jaguar is able to work out those bugs from their version.

Jaguar will be working with the British gas turbine company Bladon Jets and electric motor company SR Drives to develop the proposed project, using the $24 million that was given to them as in the government funding package to support developmental efforts.

The Chrysler Coup version used turbine technology to turn the driveshaft. The Jag, in contrast, would use a miniature gas turbine that generates energy for the electric motor. In a press release, Bladon said that these axial flow turbines are lightweight, small, and could run on anything from natural gas to biofuel, which would mean that they may have figured out how to bypass the problems that the Chrysler Coup had. The biofuel aspect is welcome news to environmentally friendly consumers who are interested in alternative energy options.

Another problem that some previous turbine-hybrids have had is the noise. Since the turbine propulsion system is based on jet systems other developed systems have had a problem with, well, sounding like a jet. In reference to the sound of the 60’s Rover-BRM turbine car, driver Graham Hill commented: “You’re sitting in this thing that you might call a motor car and the next minute it sounds as if you’ve got a 707 just behind you, about to suck you up and devour you like an enormous monster.”

The Jaguar turbine system is purported to be more refined and, thankfully, to have an interior environmental noise level of somewhere in the more acceptable range of 85 decibels.

When and Which Model?

The rumor mill says that the newly launched 2011 Jaguar XJ luxury sedan is expected to be the model chosen to include an extended range electric version in a few years. That version is supposed to be the one that may provide the platform for this jet-powered (without the noise) system. Time will tell.

Until then, everyone will be waiting to see developmental news that comes out on this and other projects that Jaguar is preparing as it continues as an innovative and revolutionary forerunner in the new green low-carbon industrial revolution that has begun to take a formidable place in the automotive industry.

After the faulty accelerator pedals and brake problems of more than 8 million Toyota vehicles that reportedly caused the death of 52 people, the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee (HRECC) has drafted a bill that will make the auto industry meet new safety standards, and impose stricter penalties on companies that fail to promptly report safety defects to the appropriate governmental safety agency.

This bill would empower the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to order immediate safety recalls where necessary, and would remove the existing cap on civil penalty that a car company could face in civil suits.

The installation of what the HRECC calls “black boxes”, also known as Event Data Recorders (EDR), would also be mandatory. These black boxes would record crash information 60 seconds before the accident and 15 seconds afterward, which would allow authorities to reconstruct a more complete picture of the elements that contribute to accidents and help determine their causes.

Toyota Responds

In an effort to rectify matters and restore positive public opinion, Toyota has gotten a jump on these proposed changes by stated that they intend to install brake override systems on all of their new models and retroactively on some of their existing ones. Toyota also plans to implement several of the other changes mentioned in the bill.

They have addressed charges of their making late safety reports by explaining they have already installed EDR devices in many of their cars, but have slow, or incomplete data because they currently have various EDR devices installed on their vehicles. Some of the installed EDR devices record pre-crash, others post-crash, and some models have devices that record both. Since the devises are so varied, vehicle speed, accelerator angle, brake application, engine speed, and other information is not obtainable for every make and model. However, they plan to have all vehicles upgraded by the end of 2010 so all makes and models will have both pre and post-crash recorders installed.

Toyota says that because the software that the devices is still in testing phase, the result has been that until recently there was only one prototype in the U.S. that would extract the EDR data – and that is the reason they attribute to limiting the readout requests. This was set to be remedied by the end of April, when they were scheduled to finish the reading software.

The Result

Safety advocates are angered that NHTSA has not been tougher on automotive companies and is pressuring congress to pass this bill to force their hand in enforcing stricter safety measures. Toyota will likely be the hardest hit of the companies, as they have already been fined a record $16.4 million for their tardy recall response time and have yet to pay the estimated minimum of $3 billion dollars to motorists who have been affected by the faulty vehicles. If the bill is passed, Toyota and other companies are likely to face further fines and imposed safety measures – fines which will ultimately be passed on to automotive consumers as they pay for more expensive, but safer, cars.

This action is one important step in fulfilling the Obama Administration’s commitment to moving towards a clean energy, climate friendly economy.

“These historic new standards set ambitious, but achievable, fuel economy requirements for the automotive industry that will also encourage new and emerging technologies,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We will be helping American motorists save money at the pump, while putting less pollution in the air.”

“This is a significant step towards cleaner air and energy efficiency, and an important example of how our economic and environmental priorities go hand-in-hand,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “By working together with industry and capitalizing on our capacity for innovation, we’ve developed a clean cars program that is a win for automakers and drivers, a win for innovators and entrepreneurs, and a win for our planet.”

Today’s final rules, issued by DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and EPA, establish increasingly stringent fuel economy standards under NHTSA’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy program and greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act for 2012 through 2016 model-year vehicles.

Starting with 2012 model year vehicles, the rules together require automakers to improve fleet-wide fuel economy and reduce fleet-wide greenhouse gas emissions by approximately five percent every year. NHTSA has established fuel economy standards that strengthen each year reaching an estimated 34.1 mpg for the combined industry-wide fleet for model year 2016.

Because credits for air-conditioning improvements can be used to meet the EPA standards, but not the NHTSA standards, the EPA standards require that by the 2016 model-year, manufacturers must achieve a combined average vehicle emission level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide per mile. The EPA standard would be equivalent to 35.5 miles per gallon if all reductions came from fuel economy improvements.

Specifically, the new National Program:

Reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 960 million metric tons over the lifetime of the vehicles regulated, equivalent to taking 50 million cars and light trucks off the road in 2030.
Conserves about 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles regulated.
Enables the average car buyer of a 2016 model year vehicle to enjoy a net savings of $3,000 over the lifetime of the vehicle, as upfront technology costs are offset by lower fuel costs
“We are delivering on our mission and President Obama’s call for a strong and coordinated national policy for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles, and we will do so in a way that does not compromise safety,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.

“These are the first national standards ever to address climate change,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Gina McCarthy. “Over the coming years, America will witness an amazing leap forward in vehicle technologies, delivering fuel efficiency that will save us money and protect the environment.”

The joint final regulation achieves the goal set by President Obama to develop a National Program to establish federal standards that meet the needs of the states and the nation as a whole to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. President Obama first announced the effort last May with a broad coalition of automakers, the United Auto Workers, States, and the environmental community.

NHTSA and EPA expect automobile manufacturers will meet these standards by more widespread adoption of conventional technologies that are already in commercial use, such as more efficient engines, transmissions, tires, aerodynamics, and materials, as well as improvements in air conditioning systems. Although the standards can be met with conventional technologies, EPA and NHTSA also expect that some manufacturers may choose to pursue more advanced fuel-saving technologies like hybrid vehicles clean diesel engines, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and electric vehicles.

In conjunction with the United States, Canada is also announcing Light Duty Vehicle GHG-Emissions regulations today. U.S. EPA and NHTSA have worked closely with Environment Canada to ensure a common North American approach.

Climate change is the single greatest long-term global environmental challenge. Cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks are responsible for almost 60 percent of all U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

For the text of the rule and additional information, click here.

Currently, the GM is offering two types of hybrid systems the first was used in the Saturn vue and Saturn astra which is called the BAS hybrid system which is a type of hybrid canceled in 2009. Then the GM together with BMW and Daimler AG co-developed a Two- Mode Hybrid which is currently used on the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC’s Yukon

Currently the introduced the concept cars which are electric with backup generators powered by gasoline, E85 or fuel cells. It is documented that the GM is the first American company to have released a full all electric automobile. It was the first car with a zero emission that was marketed in America for three decades. It has also announced that it is producing a two set electric vehicle with Segway.

Plans are underway for the GM to build battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan and also build automotive battery laboratories in Michigan. Then again GM has prided itself in the production of hydrogen powered vehicles. But still this is not the end because the GM has managed to produce flexible fuel vehicles that are able to operate and travel on E85 ethanol fuel or even gasoline or still a blend of both. The GM is the north Americas leading in E85 flex fuel vehicles. By 2009 the GM was or had produced over 18 ethanol enabled flexfuel cars and trucks in the US and more Than a million new flex fuel vehicles.

The other biggest and largest GN subsidiary is the GM do Brasil which started by producing the flexible fuel vehicles since its inception in the brazilin market in 2003. The light trucks are supposed to run on any mix of E20-E25 gasoline and up to 100% power just 6 months after another first flex was introduced in the Brazilian market. While still basing invention on the hybrid and with aims of avoiding emissions and environmental pollution the brazilin subsidiary of the GM introduced the Multipower engine in august of 2004. These engines are capable of using natural gas or (CNG) Ethanol and gasoline E20-E25 as fuel. This is the engine that was used in the multifuel Chevrolet Astra 2.0 model of 2005 which was aimed at local cab business and market

The GM Brazil also developed the EconoFlex technology which was used for the first time in the Chevrolet Prisma 1.4. These engines allow the flex fuel to maximize fuel economy and power. The vehicle had success hence the GM sold close to 200,000 flex vehicles and 140,000 gasoline powered automobiles in 2005. These figures jumped to about 520,000 for flex fuel vehicles, while 950 cars and 7000 light trucks powered by gasoline were also sold in 2007. By the end of 2008 about 97 per cent of all cars and light trucks were sold in that same year

Generally the GM can now produce vehicles that use both the E85 and gasoline as fuel that power them. It is also remembered that it is the GM that was the first to use turbocharger which was a proponent of V6 engines but dropped the interest because the muscle car took hold of the market

Check for more information at Saturn Vue Hybrid review or to purchase one contact NorCalCars Dealer Bailey Motors

Virtual speed traps are the sneakiest of the bunch; they ticket you in an instant without the need for a police officer. No longer is it as easy as looking for the black and white at a predictable corner or turn. Today’s speed traps utilize machines to do the work for them. Red light cameras and speed cameras have enabled better speed controls on both city and highway roads and have made a positive overall change in people’s driving habits. For the driving enthusiast, however, one of these speed traps can be a real show stopper. That’s why radar detectors, specifically those with GPS-enabled technology, are so useful. Take a look at the features and benefits of these newest GPS detectors and see how they can benefit your overall driving experience. Here are the top 3 rated speed camera detectors.

1. 1. The Escort Passport 9500ix is equipped with enough technology to get you to the moon. Ok, that’s an exaggeration, but it really does have the most bang for the buck in the way of real-time and useful technology. Its GPS system knows how fast a vehicle is traveling and informs the driver of their speed whenever a real alert is sounded, such as in the case of a speed camera intersection. This is a great feature to use because it adjusts for city or highway driving automatically. Its built-in database of pre-programmed speed camera and red light camera locations will help drivers from the very first time it is used. Users can sign up for monthly updates by ordering a yearly subscription to Escort’s online database updating system (first 3 months are free right now). Also, this GPS detector rocks the road with its AutoLearn feature that virtually eliminates false alarms on the road.
2. 2. The Beltronics Pro Series GX65 is another of the top-rated radar detecting devices available. Though it does not feature AutoLearn, it is good at preventing false alarms as well. It has what’s called a “Variable Speed Sensitivity” technology so that the unit automatically adjusts sensitivity for its “city mode” and “highway mode” settings. Especially in the city setting, signals from door openers and garage doors can set off some older units and give false alarms. This is prevented with the technology that comes with this unit.
3. 3. The last of the GPS detectors worth looking at is the Escort Passport 9500i. Though not as robust as the 9500ix, this unit has many of the same capabilities for about $100 less. Known speed trap locations can be input by the driver to avoid speed traps and red light cameras in the future. Software and firmware can be updated if needed, just in time for holiday traveling!

Choosing a speed camera detector can be quite a challenge if you don’t know what to look for. However, with the right guidance on the features and benefits available in the top 3 GPS detectors your choice is made so much easier!

Well, Ford has come up with an answer to the problem. Starting with the 2008 Ford Escape, Ford has started adding EPS or Electric Power Steering to some of its vehicles.

What is EPS?
Instead of the usual complicated mix of hydraulic pumps, hoses, power steering fluids and drive belts that can require regular service and repair. EPS uses an electronic motor to assist in steering. This allows Ford to integrate computer software and sensors to measure the wheel torque that needs to be applied to steer the vehicle. This Pull-drift software allows the EPS system to continually compensate for changes in road conditions like road crowning or steady winds.

A couple other Ford vehicles where you might find the new system are the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner.

If you happen to be driving one of these vehicles equipped with EPS, tell us what you think about it in our comments. We’d love to hear about it!

While not as quick to 60 mph (4 seconds) the Tango Commuter Car still earns the right to be put in the sports car performance category. Although when looking at it, that would not be your first impression. Don’t let the looks deceive you though, it uses many of the same safety innovations as race cars, including a stainless steel chassis with a chromium molybdenum roll cage.

Another great advantage to these cars is that they are both Zero Emission cars putting them in the same category as hybrid cars or the very efficient “Smart cars” like the Smart Fortwo of environmentally-friendly or Green Cars

So, before you make your next new car purchase, give some though to some of the new breed of cars. If you’re looking for great performance, fuel economy, and cleaner air you might find you can “have your cake and eat it too”!

In a previous post I talked about the air car from Tata Motors. Since then other manufacturers are entering into the race to take the lead in this environmentally friendly from of transportation.

Zero Pollution Motors in cooperation with MDI group unveiled their new air car at the 2008 New York Auto show on March 20. They also entered a team to compete for the Automotive X Prize.

Zero Pollution Motors has plans of introducing a compressed air vehicle to the US market in the year 2010. This family sized vehicle will seat 6, have 4 doors, and will achieve over 100 MPGe (mpg equivalent) with the ability to go over 90 mph. One interesting point is the affordability of this vehicle, it is expected that it will cost around $18,000. An economy/utility model will be produced by MDI for sale in France and elsewhere 2009 at a price of beginning at around $5,000-$6,000 for the basic model.

History of the air car
If you are looking for more information on the history of the air car www.theaircar.com has an interesting page on their site Air Car History. Work on air cars started back as early as 1872.

There was even an experimental dragster made with an air power engine that covered the quarter mile in about 9 seconds.

So while it seems that the idea of an air car has been around for quite a while, some of the new technologies have given a new life to this form of transportation. I for one, look forward to giving one of these a road test to see how they do.

For more information on the US Air Car.