http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-fuel-cell-cars-20131117,0,5007194.story#axzz2kyoP4R54


For decades, hydrogen fuel cell cars have been the automotive technology of tomorrow: the big idea, for someday far in the future.

No longer. At auto shows in Los Angeles and Tokyo this week, Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. will introduce hydrogen-powered cars. Hyundai's will reach U.S. showrooms next year, while the other models will begin selling a year later.

It amounts to "a coming out party for hydrogen," said John Krafcik, chief executive of Hyundai Motor America.

Toyota's car, being unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, "has the same potential as the first Prius," said Bill Fay, general manager of Toyota's U.S. sales arm. Fuel cell offerings from the two other automakers will debut in L.A.


In a little more than a decade, the Prius has become America's favorite hybrid and California's bestselling vehicle.

The global automakers believe cars powered by fuel cells represent the best path to building the zero-emission vehicles now demanded by regulators in California and many other states and, increasingly, by consumers. Using hydrogen to create electricity, fuel cells combine the best of electric and gasoline cars without the downsides, the automakers say. They drive like electric cars — quietly, with tons of off-the-line power — but can be refueled just like gasoline-powered cars.

"Hydrogen vehicles allow you to be lean and green with the same range as an internal combustion engine," said Thilo Koslowski, an analyst at Gartner Inc.

The challenge: Producing them cheaply enough to entice consumers and building enough hydrogen fueling stations to keep them on the road. Initially, the cars are expected to cost more than comparable gasoline-powered and electric vehicles, though they probably will qualify for government incentives to buyers. The sticker prices are expected to come down if automakers can sell the cars in volume.

None of the automakers have revealed prices yet. The cars are likely to be offered first as three-year leases.

Badnews to 9ja oilmarket

Make we go farming na d next thing. Children pack hoe & cutlass, oko baba mi ya

I'm booking mine in advance.

I will get one for myself wen it comes out

I have been using such vehicles far back as 2009.

What a blow to naija especialy we Niger deltans, anyway good development at least this oil of a thing will no longer bring quarrels among is again on the near future..