More Environment-Friendly, Fuel Cell Powered Hondas to Traverse the Streets of Los Angeles Soon by Jenny McLane

More Environment-Friendly, Fuel Cell Powered Hondas to Traverse the Streets of Los Angeles Soon by Jenny McLane

More Environment-Friendly, Fuel Cell Powered Hondas to Traverse the Streets of Los Angeles Soon

This is the latest buzz words in the car industry, but what is it really all about?

Honda FCX powered by Honda fuel cells.

It has been two years since Honda released the Honda FCX which has become the first fuel cell vehicle in the world to receive government certification, paving the way for the commercial use of fuel cell vehicles. This comes as no surprise as Honda has always been an advocate of environmental consciousness and a pioneer in developing cutting edge technology in protecting the environment. The fuel-cell is propelled by electricity generated by a hydrogen-oxygen chemical reaction, and its only emission, amazingly, is water vapor. Now, with a fresh stamp of approval from the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, Honda is delivering a family of new FCX fuel-cell vehicles to its first customer, the city of Los Angeles, known for its strict environmental emission rules to eliminate the overwhelming air pollution already at its midst.

The latest version of Honda fuel cells delivers about 15% more maximum drive motor torque than the previous prototypes and also provides improvements in mid-to-high range power output characteristics and acceleration. It also has an amplified driving range of 220 miles, about 25 miles more than the previous model.

How does the fuel cell work?

In principle, a fuel cell functions like a battery. Dissimilar from a battery though, a fuel cell does not run down or require recharging. It will produce energy in the form of electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied. The type of fuel cell used in the Honda FCX is called a Polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Powered by Hydrogen gas the fuel cell provides power to the FCX's AC synchronous electric motor to give the FCX a top speed of around 93 mph. With engine output at around 60kW, Honda claims the clean FCX has similar performance to the its petrol drinking brother, the Honda Civic. Fuel Cells produce electricity from an external fuel supply as opposed to the limited internal energy storage capacity of a battery.

A fuel cell system, which includes a "fuel reformer", can utilize the hydrogen from any hydrocarbon fuel - from natural gas to methanol, and even gasoline. Since the fuel cell relies on chemistry and not combustion, emissions from this type of a system would still be much smaller than emissions from the cleanest fuel combustion processes. In fact fuel cells running on hydrogen derived from a renewable source will emit nothing but water vapor. Water vapor being its only exhaust, a fuel cell powered vehicle such as the Honda FCX produces completely no harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
Fuel cells were first used in a practical application by NASA in the 1960s for their Apollo space program. For decades sensible fuel cell application was regarded as too costly and too difficult for automobile usage. Through constant research and development its utilization may become a reality, the only problem that crops up is the source for refueling.

Hondas proposed solution for refueling stations.

If fuel cell powered cars ever become popular, gas stations may soon have to start supplying hydrogen as well as their regular petroleum based products. But since currently there are only a handful of them around, this may be far from happening.

Until then, Honda will continue to do some research on other possible solutions. An experimental Home Energy Station (HES) is seen as the most feasible. The HES could generate hydrogen from natural gas for use in fuel cell vehicles while supplying electricity and hot water to the home. The new HES system that has been jointly developed with strategic fuel cell partner Plug Power Inc. is located on the grounds of Honda R&D Americas in Torrance, California, and will undergo experiments in hydrogen production, storage and fueling, as part of ongoing research into hydrogen energy sources. The new HES system, which can currently produce enough hydrogen to refill the tank of a Honda FCX hydrogen fuel cell vehicle taking just a few minutes once a day.

Hondas dedication to a greener and cleaner environment.

Honda started research and development on fuel cells in 1989. Ten years after they have been road testing fuel cell powered vehicles in the US and Japan. Honda is a member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) based in Sacramento, California, and has been working closely with that organization.

Honda has had a long history of environmental breakthroughs and dedication with their automobiles. Even from way back in 1975, Honda scored it big with their CVCC as being the first vehicle to meet the amended Clean Air act standard. Honda was also the first auto company to produce a vehicle, the Honda Civic, to meet the low emission vehicle (LEV) standard in all 50 states and the first to sell a gasoline car meeting first California's Ultra Low Emission Vehicle standard and subsequently the "Super" ULEV standard (Accord).

Honda was also the first to sell a combined gasoline and electric powered vehicle, the Insight, in the U.S. and early in 2002 they introduced the Civic Hybrid, it was the first mass marketed hybrid model. The Civic GX was the first dedicated mass-produced natural gas vehicle when it went on sale in 1998 and has been recognized by the EPA, as the cleanest internal combustion engine in the world. Truly, Honda understands the need for environmental care and the total independence in the future for petroleum based products to fuel their engines.

With all of this new technology cropping up, the motoring world doesnt seem like it used to be. The good thing is it all boils down to consumer preference. Many products though cater to the whole welfare of the people even when it is channeled through too many aspects. What is inevitable is that no mater how efficient and durable your vehicle is, it will be subjected to wear and tear. Constant use and driving calls for constant maintenance and preventive maintenance also, at Auto Parts Train we continually update our catalogs to provide the most complete and comprehensive lineup of superb Honda parts. With 25 years of experience we know that the automobile industry constantly evolves and new technology crops up every now and then. You can be sure that we are always on our guard for a high end Honda part.

Be it a Honda replacement part, a Honda collision part or a Honda performance enhancement part, Auto Parts Train is here to serve you. Browse through our 24-hour online shop to find the perfect Honda part for you. Click on this link (http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/HONDA ) to see our wide array of first rate Honda auto parts that we have on stock. We guarantee all the fit and quality of our Honda car parts. For assistance, you may call our toll free line, 1-888-251-1214, 12 hours a day, six days a week. Our very efficient and highly-trained customer service staff is standing by to help you.


About the Author

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.

New 2005 Lexus RX 330 Unveiled for 2005: by Jenny McLane

New 2005 Lexus RX 330 Unveiled for 2005: by Jenny McLane

New 2005 Lexus RX 330 Unveiled for 2005:

This Hot Selling Vehicle from Lexus is given a Special Edition to entice more buyers.

Early January this year Lexus sprung a pleasant surprise on its followers by announcing and unveiling a Special Edition of the 2005 Lexus RX 330. They did this last January 9, 2005 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Lexus is calling this special edition of the Lexus RX 330 the Thundercloud Edition.

Here only in its second season, it reinstates its foothold as the best selling luxury SUV from last year. The Lexus RX 330 was redesigned and introduced as an all-new model for 2004. Sleeker, more stylish and more powerful than the best-selling model it replaced, the RX 330 glides into its second season with added luxury.

Lexus just wont rest on its laurels, even with the league leading sales of the Lexus RX 330, the 2005 special edition is expected to add new depth and dimension to the lineup and with the supplements of several enhancements designed to give future clients a very desirable new choice.

When it was launched last year, the Lexus RX set a higher bar of standard for the modern luxury utility vehicle. The innovative RX 300 pioneered the crossover style of SUV based on a uni-body car platform rather than a heavy-duty truck frame. Crossovers provide improved ride and handling. They offer more cargo room than a car. They also give the driver a better view over the traffic and a sense of security from an elevated driving position. Overall, its a car that mutated to a truck.

The original did all of those things, but this new, second-generation RX does them much better. Swift and silent, it rides more quietly than most cars, not to mention other SUVs. It glides over bumpy roads and its airy cabin is luxurious and captivating. While crossover vehicles offer neither the big towing capacity nor the off-road capability of a true truck, the RX 330 handles gravel roads just fine and can tow up to 3500 pounds with the optional trailer package.

Every one of the 2005 Thundercloud Edition RX 330s are obtainable with the performance, luxury and convenience features found in the standard RX 330, including the Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), Mark Levinson audio, rear seat DVD entertainment system and more.

Two new colors are also available for the 2005 RX 330 but only for the special edition. The Thundercloud Metallic is a rich gray metallic color and is matched with light gray interior with leather-trimmed seats and black birds eye maple wood trim. Flint mica is another alternative color available thats exclusive for the special edition. The grille lends an elegant look with chrome horizontal bars that convey its connection to other Lexus models. "Thundercloud" badges on the front doors and floor mats identify this special edition. New five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with contrasting rings complete the package with fresh details.

The list of standard luxuries is long, and includes automatic climate control, premium audio, cruise control, traction and stability control, privacy glass, automatic headlamps, fabric upholstery, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. The list has been lengthened for 2005 with eight-way power for the front passenger seat, ten-way power for the driver seat, wood and leather trim for the steering wheel and shift knob, AM/FM/CD stereo, and a power rear liftgate, which was previously optional, that's easier to use than before.

Vehicles will be available with Lexus dealers by late January 2005, with a planned quantity of 6,500 units. The special edition price will start at $300 above the base MSRP of $35,775 for the two-wheel drive model, and $37,175 for the all-wheel drive model. This is an investment that is worth every cent.

Accessories and new parts do make the difference. Slap on a few luxuries and your car, truck or SUV will transform to the vehicle of your dreams. Many special edition vehicles are called so because of the features that is not offered with the standard base models. But you too can avail of these Toyota parts and accessories to jazz up your Toyota vehicle. You too may have a special one of a kind car that has been specially designed by the person you trust best, yourself.

At Auto Parts Train they offer a wide array of high quality Toyota parts and accessories. They present only world-class replacement parts for any part replacement you may need to keep your Toyota in tiptop shape. Their complete and comprehensive catalog is constantly updated to keep up with the changing demands. You may browse on through their 24-hour online shop for any of their collision parts or performance enhancing parts anytime of the day. Auto Parts Train pride themselves for having in their fold only the finest in Toyota body parts that is present anywhere. The fit and quality are totally guaranteed and their 25 years of experience in this industry have achieve for themselves a rightful place in this business.

You can call their toll-free line, 1-888-251-1214, from Monday to Saturday 12 hours a day for any inquiries. To browse on through to their complete and comprehensive Toyota parts catalog just click this link, http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/TOYOTA . For the best and finest in Toyota car and auto parts, Auto Parts Train is the site for you.


About the Author
Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.

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