Going the Extra Mile

By: Megan McLaughlin

Whether you’re made of money or not, you’re probably looking for ways to save on gas – who isn’t these days? Although gas prices are dropping to a much more affordable price, people are still becoming increasingly interested in fuel efficient vehicles. It seems as if every major company is coming out with their own hybrid for 2009, but some are taking fuel efficiency a step further and introducing revolutionary concepts; zero emission, hydrogen powered vehicles.

What is a hydrogen powered vehicle? Basically, it is a car that runs purely on hydrogen. Chemical energy is converted to mechanical energy through combustion or electrochemical conversion in a fuel-cell. Learning more about fuel-cells and how they work is complicated, but actually very interesting.

The FCX Clarity is Honda’s newest gem; the “zero emission sedan of the future.” Complete with a clean and quiet hydrogen tank, a fuel cell stack which generates electricity and an electric drive motor to power the vehicle, you really can’t go wrong with this car. The FCX is said to be both user-friendly and very modern, too.

Whether or not this technology really catches on or lasts is unknown. What we do know is that it works and it is certainly another step in the right direction. This technology has you saving money in the long run and saving the environment too. With manufacturers going the extra mile to ensure fuel efficiency is here to stay, we no longer need to fear going a few extra miles on the road.