According to reports, an electric Honda will be presented in October at the Tokyo Motor Show as a preview to an electric model that will be ready by 2015. Honda has already delved into hybrid and hydrogen technologies with its CR-Z, Jazz and FCX Clarity vehicles.

While Honda will make a choice between lithium ion and fuel cell technology for its car, the new Honda electric will debut in city car form. The race is now on among the Japanese car manufacturers for the crown of best electric car.

Source | EGM CarTech

Continue reading: Honda electric at Tokyo motor show

The prototype of the Riversimple Urban Car was presented in London in quite a high profile event which shows that perhaps the world is ready for hydrogen and, in fact, wants it on the market. The Riversimple hydrogen car will appear on the market in 2013, and has been developed thanks to investment from the Piech family.

In more than acceptable performance figures, the top speed is 80 km/hr and it has a range of about 400 km. It weighs only 350 kg and has a 6kw fuel cell system which can maintain cruise speeding; while a super condenser pack of 21kg stores up to 30 kw of energy when stopping, meaning that 15 kw of power is restored back to the four motors integrated into the wheels.

The real innovation is not just the technology, but also the fact that Riversimple has been built with an “open source” mentality, meaning other car manufacturers can utilise the potential, adapting and personalising the vehicle to their needs.

It could be a very short step from this point to a situation in which a company such as the VAG group might use the technology to build their own hydrogen car. If you’re interested, you can follow the project’s development on the official Riversimple site.

Continue reading: Hydrogen car ready for 2013: Riversimple Urban Car presented in London, the future is on its way

The first step has been achieved and now only some on-the-road promotion is needed with a few select testimonials. Honda has delivered the first three examples of the FCX Clarity, a hydrogen-powered car with fuel cells being produced in only a limited series.

Takeo Fukui, managing director of the Japanese company, and John Mendel, US manager, were present at the debut of the sedan, along with entrepreneur Jim Salomon, actress Jamie Lee Curtis and husband and director Christopher Guest, who received keys to show the car around south California.

Continue reading: Honda FCX Clarity: already a reality in California

The Toyota Motor Company has presented its new Highlander FCHV, a model which will bring to the market a new fuel-cell system from the Japanese company. Numbers indicate a drastic step compared to the previous generation, with a 25 percent reduction in consumption, obtained thanks to modification in the regenerative braking and auxiliary systems.

What is more suprising however is the increase in autonomy: on the Japanese 10-15 circuit, the Highlander can manage 830km on one full tank, on the more severe JC08 it does 760 km. Figures which are well above 400 and the previous capacities of fuel-cells. Given legal obligations, these numbers for daily use have been decreased to 560km, meaning you could go from Tokyo to Osaka without stopping at gas station.

The new fuel cells have also been improved in terms of their trustworthiness and durability: important interventions regarding the internal production of water, which then affects low temperature start-up (a big problem for this type of engine). Mercedes, the other company at the forefront of fuel cell technology, has resolved this problem with an unusual solution that sees the adoption of an eletric turbine which can maximise air flow through the conductors, guaranteeing instant thawing. The two companies, with different solutions, promise use down to -30° C.

Via | GreenCarCongress

Continue reading: Toyota reveals next generation fuel-cell: autonomy doubled

The idea at its base is quite innovative: mix hydrogen with petrol. And all with an Acura engine, transformed from two turbos, equipped on a light chassis: the consumption comes off like a diesel car. The project from Scorpion, the supercar designed and planned by the Texan Ronn Motor Company, is still in its digital form, even if, considering its innovation, it shouldn’t have to look far to find an interested investor.

Its relative simplicity means it can abandon fuel cells, with hydrogen supplied by a Hydrorunner system - an on-board water tank is sufficient, with a secret chemical process, to obtain a consumption of about 17km a litre. The V6 3.5 engine has a range of 289 hp, to 450 hp with twin-turbo. 3.5 seconds is all is needed to hit 100km/hr, with a maximum speed of 320km/hr. And all without forgetting a dynamic driving style. Suspension derives from an Indy car, the bodywork is in carbon and it has a generous wheel base (2.67 metres). The 950 kg seem almost impossible in the face of all this technology.

Via | World Car Fans

Continue reading: Ronn Motor Company Scorpion: hydrogen's new frontier

From the pages of Ecoblog.it appears news on a new concept car fuel cell created by Renault and Nissan to demonstrate the technology being studied for upcoming models. The Grand Scenic ZEV H2 has a fuel cell system entirely created by Nissan, while Renault technicians are working on transforming the original Scenic to accommodate the new electronic and technical apparatus required without reducing passenger space.

The technology at the base of the Scenic ZEV H2 is the same seen on the Nissan X-Trail Fuel Cell, in testing phase for the last two years. The two concept cars will be taken on a tour of various European shows to introduce the public to the new technology and alternative sources to petrol. The Scenic in particular will be presented in Barcellona in occasion of the Atelier Ambiente (Environment Show) from June 18 to 27.

Via | Ecoblog.it

Continue reading: Renault Grand Scenic ZEV H2: zero emission prototype