Dan Neil, car reviewer for the Los Angeles Times, wrote an article about the Honda FCX Clarity which landed on the front page of today’s Business section. Titled, “Honda FCX Clarity has everything but a future”, Neil proceeds to praise the styling, innovation and feel of the car, while claiming that the energy and capital intensive car does not have a place in the future of transportation. There are several advancements that he cites as useful, including the fuel cell’s potential in other applications, as well as the interior’s “petroleum free resins and bio-based fabrics.” Neil’s energy argument centers around the notion that the production of H₂ gas consumes approximately four times as much electricity (often generated from nonrenewable resources such as natural gas) as the all-electric Tesla Roadster.

His point is scientifically valid, even without touching on the need for a hydrogen infrastructure, as mentioned in the post on the hydrogen economy. The promise of a new fuel source for transportation may or may not elude humans. With plug-in electric cars coming online, and Tesla’s all-electric options, consumers will soon have a wealth of options from which to choose as states mull over zero emission and increased mileage mandates.

-Eric Wilson