Hydrogen Road Tour

Last week seven automakers embarked on a drive from Chula Vista, CA, to Vancouver, B.C. in 12 high-tech fuel cell cars and SUVs. On Monday the convoy rolled through Seattle, and I met up with them at the Propel biodiesel station. You can’t actually fill up with hydrogen at Propel, but you know, it’s green…

Anyway, I got a chance to check out all the cars, and then I was able to take the Honda FCX Clarity for a drive. I wanted to drive the Honda because it was the only vehicle in the convoy that was designed from the ground up as a hydrogen vehicle. The rest of the cars and SUVs on this drive had been retrofitted with the technology.

Continue reading after the jump!

So what can I tell you about the Clarity? It drives like a car. Or a hybrid. Cause that’s what it is—an electric/hydrogen hybrid. External dimensions are somewhere between the Accord and Civic, but inside it’s bigger than an Accord, thanks to the small motor, fuel cell stack and battery. The ride is great. The direct drive tranny is super cool and the power delivery is very smooth. Honestly, it’s pretty quick. Ryan Harty, the engineer riding with me, told me that the Clarity does 0-60 in 9 seconds. All in all, very pleasant, and I think it looked pretty sharp in the Star Garnet Metallic paint, which is exclusive to the Clarity. The wheels are kind of cool, too. Honda is building 200 of these vehicles, which are available for lease in the So Cal area (the only place you can currently fuel up with hydrogen). They lease for $600 per month—not cheap, but it will definitely trump your neighbor’s Prius.