What a shame !

A couple of weeks after stealing the limelight at the Tokyo Motor Show, with an announcement of the 2008 release of its FCX car, Honda is now putting the FCX into reverse. Far from being a global-wide release, only people living in the Torrance, Santa Monica, and Irvine areas of southern California will be able to buy one, as these are the only places that the Clarity can be easily refuelled and serviced. In other words, very competitive price apart, the FCX looks as if it may join the long list of alternative energy cars with plenty of hype and very little take up - exhibit A of course would be GM's electric car.

The other bit that makes me wonder is Honda's Home Energy Station - is this not over-engineering?



You'll notice that they have developed this in association with Plug Power , a stock which has been enjoying a good recovery since September. Wouldn't it be much cheaper to set up a home electrolysis kit, powered by (at least in the UK and USA) either overnight Hydro or Nuclear from the mains, fuelled by some distilled water?

Anyway, Plug Power have also partnered with another big friend, to commercialize an on-vehicle hydrogen production system for use in a fuel cell-powered lift truck application. This differs from the Home Energy System by taking liquid fuels such " . . . as gasoline, diesel, ethanol or biodiesel and convert them into hydrogen onboard the vehicle where it will be used in a fuel cell power train". Apparently, " . . . this has the potential to be up to 80% more fuel efficient than today's internal combustion engine technologies and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 45%".

That really does sound quite promising. And one can't get too down about the availability of the FCX; progress is anything but a straight line heading upwards. There will always be setbacks and disappointments on the road to commercial success.