Fuel Cell Corridor News 

April 11   

US DOT announces $13.1 million for national fuel cell bus program

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $13.1 million in federal funding for 11 innovative research and demonstration projects under FTA's National Fuel Cell Bus Program. The program advances hydrogen fuel cell power for transit buses and reflects the Obama Administration's commitment to address our nation's energy challenges, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and promote cleaner air.

"President Obama's all-of-the-above energy strategy includes adopting alternative fuels that let transit agencies bypass the gas pump altogether and reduce our carbon footprint," said Secretary LaHood. "This investment moves us closer to achieving the President's goal of reducing oil imports by a third in a little over a decade."

The funds are shared by Calstart in Pasadena, Calif.; the Center for Transportation and the Environment in Atlanta, Ga.; and the Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium in Boston, Mass. All three will engage in work to develop various fuel cell components, test American-made buses under real-world conditions powered by fuel cells, and conduct educational outreach.  Read more

April 9  

Honda Turns Their Fuel Cell Sedan Into A Solar Powered Generator 

Hydrogen fuel cell cars may not be grabbing as many headlines as their battery electric counterparts, but that doesn't mean Honda hasn't stopped work on the FCX Clarity. More than four years after the fuel cell car's debut, Honda modified the car to feature a box of power outlets (the little wheeled unit near the car's back tire) that lets the car function as a 9kW generator.  Read more

March 30  

Honda's fuel cell car can supply household electricity for up to six days

The fascinating scope of electric cars supplying power to our household demands may seem ludicrous to some. But, the truth remains that some companies have actually taken this novel path and successfully manufactured components that help in supplying electricity. And, the latest of such conscientious automakers is Honda, which claims that it has developed an advanced fuel cell vehicle that can supply enough power to sustain a conventional household for six long days.

The vehicle in question is actually a heavily modified version of FCX Clarity fuel cell car, which Honda currently offers through only leases in Japan. The apt modification was done by installing an inverter at the top. This in turn converts DC current into AC current for successfully charging bigger household devices powered by wall outlets (instead of batteries). The power generating mechanism in itself entails the usage of hydrogen in the car's fuel tank that can supply up to 9 kilowatts of continuous electricity for more than seven hours.  Read more

   March 30