fuel

Tiny hydrogen cars not just child's play

Automobiles have paved the way for hybrid and alternative energies in transportation, but other vehicles are quickly following their tracks. We've seen trains, golf carts and even wheelchairs running on non-fossil power sources in recent months alone. But one there's one category we hadn't anticipated: toys.

Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies first made headlines with its hydrogen-powered "H-racer" remote-controlled miniature car, which Gizmag says is the "best-selling fuel cell product in the world." Now, Horizon has developed what it calls the "H-cell" power source, which it claims allows miniature cars to reach … Read more

Arnie tells carmakers to get on the train to alternative fuels

Arnold Schwarzenegger kicked off the second day of the LA Auto Show here today by telling carmakers that clean energy is the future of the auto industry. Surrounded by a collection of alternative-fuel vehicles, including BMW's Hydrogen7, Tesla's electric-powered roadster, and Honda's hydrogen fuel cell-powered FCX Concept, the California governor said that it was time for automakers to "get on the train" to alternative energy.

He also thanked car manufacturers for what they have done to date in their efforts to produce vehicles that run on alternatives to gasoline. A troupe of automotive executives joined … Read more

Driving the Future in Honda's hydrogen FCX Concept

Placing a great deal of trust in a bunch of automotive journalists, Honda let about 20 of us loose today in their next-generation hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles on the Laguna Seca racetrack in California. Only two models of the Honda FCX Concept exist, and we got a chance to put the futuristic sedans through their paces while admiring the sleek styling and high-tech drive train components that enabled us to blast around at 80mph with no emissions besides water.

The FCX Concept runs entirely on hydrogen, has a range of 270 miles per tank, and represents a significant advancement for Honda'… Read more

Alternative fuel tested for wheelchair

Suzuki knows that alternative fuels aren't just for cars. So the Japanese company is turning its eco-friendly eye toward a new market: wheelchairs.

Gizmag says a prototype "fuel cell wheelchair" is in the works, using methanol to generate hydrogen and then electricity. It adds that, with a range of up to 25 miles, the wheelchair would help allay fears of getting stranded.

It's good to see that alternative energy research is going toward vehicles other than golf carts.

(Photo: Gizmag)

In Japan, trains join the hybrid crowd

We've seen hybrid cars, motorcycles and even planes. But hybrid trains?

Pink Tentacle, our favorite Japanese blog, reports that East Japan Railway Company just completed a dry run of the world's first fuel cell hybrid train. "With two 65-kilowatt fuel cells and six hydrogen tanks under the floor and a secondary battery on the roof, the clean train emits only water and runs without receiving juice from power lines," PT says.

Thirty passengers were aboard for ride, which supposedly will be just as comfortable as that of a standard train. Unless, of course, its riders must … Read more

Who has the greenest car of all?

Pop quiz: Which automaker just won an international competition for the greenest car? Hint: It's not Toyota, Honda or any U.S. company.

This year's GreenFleet award goes to ... Citroen. "In the last four years, Citroen has sold more well over a million fuel-efficient vehicles in Europe" and "has been committed to using biofuels in its engines since March 1998," according to the judges of the U.K. contest, which was created to promote environmental awareness among transportation companies.

Toyota and Honda, which apparently were runners-up, coincidentally came out on top of a fuel economy survey … Read more

HondaJet takes off for just $3.65 million

If you had $3.65 million to drop on a private jet, would you be concerned about fuel economy? Honda apparently thinks so and stresses its efficiency on this score in the brochures for its new jet aircraft.

"Key specifications and performance figures establish HondaJet as the fastest and most fuel efficient aircraft in its class, while setting a new standard for interior space and comfort," Honda Aircraft says in announcing the plane. The frugal reference does make some sense, given that Honda claims to have produced the first gas-electric hybrid car in the United States.

Of course, … Read more