Monday, March 1, 2010

What does "Available" mean with regards to Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

The vehicles look nice, they drive great and Honda calls them "Available for Consumer use".

The fact is it's a limited lease program available in Southern California only.


Here's the link to Honda: http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/fuel-cell-evolution.aspx

Here's a table from that page.

Timeline
1999: Honda introduces first fuel cell vehicle prototypes FCX-V1 and FCX-V2.
2000: Prototype fuel cell vehicle FCX-V3 introduced.

FCX begins service as official pace car of L.A. Marathon and goes on to lead the race for eight consecutive years.
2001: Prototype fuel cell vehicle FCX-V3 equipped with a Honda FC Stack demonstrated at the California Fuel Cell Partnership in Sacramento, California.
2002: Prototype fuel cell vehicle FCX-V4 introduced.
Honda's FCX certified by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB). First and only fuel cell car in history to be approved for commercial use.

FCX fuel cell vehicles delivered on the same day in Japan and the U.S.

City of Los Angeles becomes first FCX customer, leasing first of five Honda FCX models for fleet use.
2003: Experiments begin in the U.S with a hydrogen Home Energy Station, providing hydrogen fuel supply and cogeneration functions.

Honda FC Stack, a next-generation fuel cell stack capable of power generation at temperatures as low as –20ÂșC, is announced.

Honda becomes world's first automaker to supply a fuel cell vehicle to a private corporation.
2004: New York State becomes a fleet customer and demonstrates freezing winter startup and operation.
2005: Honda introduces second-generation FCX. First to be powered by Honda FC stack.

FCX is put on road with real family, the Spallinos.

FCX Concept vehicle unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show. Huge leap forward in lightweight, compact fuel cell stack design. Result is sleeker vehicle design.
2007: FCX Clarity FCEV, world’s first dedicated platform hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, debuts at L.A. Auto Show. The new stack is 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than its predecessor. Startups now possible below 23°F.

2007 marks the eighth consecutive year the FCX serves as pace car for the L.A. Marathon.
2008: FCX Clarity FCEV available, as of summer 2008, for consumer use.

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