Honda Motor Corp. (Japan) unveiled a new hydrogen-powered, fuel cell concept car that runs on a refueling unit, which also supplies electricity and hot water for the home. The FCX Concept uses the Home Energy Station, which generates hydrogen from natural gas supplied to households. The system refines natural gas to provide the vehicle with hydrogen, which is combined with oxygen to power the car. It can also supply electricity to the home and recover heat during power generation for domestic water heating.
The system is expected to halve the total cost of household electricity, gas, and vehicle fuel as well as reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by about 40 percent. The FCX also boasts the lowest floor platform in its class by accommodating its motor, hydrogen tank, and other components vertically. It has sensors and cameras that recognize the driver's physical features and unlock the doors as he or she approaches. The system also automatically adjusts the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and instrument panel to the optimal position for the driver.
"Ultimately, what we should aim for is to circulate zero-pollution energy through solar panels," said Honda President Takeo Fukui. "There are many methods to achieve the goal; we will use natural gas, which is conventional infrastructure, and gradually add use of solar-panel energy."
