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Honda drives toward home solar hydrogen refueling

Reuters -- Coming not so soon and probably not to a house near you is the home solar hydrogen refueling station -- Honda Motor Co's latest idea in its drive to make hydrogen the fuel of choice for zero emission cars.

The Japanese auto giant believes hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles offer the best long-term alternative to fossil fuels and the company showed on Friday a refueling breakthrough that it says points to a home version down the road.

Most major automakers have spent billions of dollars in researching hydrogen-powered fuel cells, tempted by the idea of a car that uses no gasoline and emits only water vapor. But Honda is widely seen as the hydrogen leader, while others like General Motors put more effort into battery-powered electric vehicles like the upcoming Volt.

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Submitted Mar 12, 2010 By: Mudsprings

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Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,655 Points:673,595 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 8:54:55 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse TIME WILL TELL!
cpl11787 All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:630 Points:123,275 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:38:42 PM Ignore cpl11787 Report Abuse so how long is this supposed to take?
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:8,113 Points:914,610 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 8:51:02 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse home solar atomic mustang helium fueling.extracting hydrogen from natural gas is hard enough; storing it is anotherl we'll see when we see what
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:1,147 Points:300,275 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 8:46:28 PM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse I wish this was Ford or GM because I'd like to buy from one of them. Hydrogen seems the way (to me). And now with the refueling in your garage !!!
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:2,692 Points:544,365 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:05:53 PM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse Honda also features their Civic GX NGV with a home fueling option. Can't take long trips, but it is a great 200 mile commuter.
brbaritone Veteran Author Virginia Posts:329 Points:821,970 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:01:19 PM Ignore brbaritone Report Abuse Honda has a very interesting concept, but the challenge is refueling away from home. Their home energy station extracts hydrogen from natural gas (check out their website), but where would we refuel on a trip? As interesting as this is, I still think it would be much more cost-effective to have compressed natural gas vehicles, with or without home fueling. The infrastructure is already in place, although it would need to be greatly expanded.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:2,247 Points:1,158,890 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 10:55:07 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse re: "One of the big barriers to hydrogen car deployment is the lack of refueling infrastructure, leading Honda to bet that the future lies in combining a public station network with a more modest home option. Honda's home option will comprise a solar-powered hydrogen refueling station using solar panels." better have lots of sunshine, then.
traindude Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,335 Points:785,750 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 10:33:08 AM Ignore traindude Report Abuse sounds wonderful
RedRam2005 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,559 Points:603,550 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 9:12:56 AM Ignore RedRam2005 Report Abuse Hydrogen makes more sense than the electric cars
thecomposer Sophomore Author Ontario Posts:221 Points:63,635 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 8:31:45 AM Ignore thecomposer Report Abuse I made my car run part Hydrogen Successfully, but I have to say Hydrogen is EXTREMELY EXPLOSIVE. Not only that, there is Hexavalent Chromium ( causes cancer )problem with most systems that take hydrogen from Water, so these have to be safe, and not store vats of Hydrogen
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:1,147 Points:300,275 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 7:54:33 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse Hydrogen is the way to go, ESPECIALLY if it can be produced in your garage.
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,458 Points:1,293,150 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 4:44:25 AM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse It seems unnecesary to use electricity to extract H from water or natural gas and then use the H to make electricity.
ashishpa All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:744 Points:168,775 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 4:20:10 AM Ignore ashishpa Report Abuse Still time to go but it very good initiative by Honda and such things will shape the future of fuels.
amerk73 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,144 Points:647,760 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 3:17:24 AM Ignore amerk73 Report Abuse try to cover recall
TPlayer All-Star Author Fort Wayne Posts:576 Points:140,010 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 2:14:43 AM Ignore TPlayer Report Abuse 'jjw0608' and 'uptherefiners'... both of you are idiots... Honda is a great company because they are always looking to improve everything, not just cars, making them more fuel efficient and cleaner burning... they did it with the automobile engine, motorcycle engine, lawnmower engine, the boat engine and even the jet engine just to name a few... Honda was the 1st to achieve LEV, ULEV AND SULEV engines... you probably don't even know what that is... and Honda has less recall than Toyota, Ford, GM and Chrysler... look it up... 'graceman'... I'll buy an 'American' nameplate as soon as they have a long history of quality and they stop shipping their jobs to Mexico... Honda did the home refueling station with NGV (natural gas vehicles) and they will do it with solar hydrogen.. give them props for looking at all the options out there...
raleightom All-Star Author Raleigh Posts:765 Points:215,710 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 1:18:19 AM Ignore raleightom Report Abuse no price estimates usually indicates staggering costs . . . time will tell
MDTDriver Champion Author California Posts:4,982 Points:1,193,540 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 1:14:58 AM Ignore MDTDriver Report Abuse Batteries cast a lot to replace, have to see the cost of hydrogen stations cost and the cost of fuel and the car to refuel cost.
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,655 Points:673,595 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:48:47 AM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse TIME WILL TELL!
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:3,667 Points:947,160 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:45:51 AM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse I doubt this will ever happen
Gary65 Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,498 Points:468,370 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:44:36 AM Ignore Gary65 Report Abuse Seems interesting, look forward to seeing how it goes.
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,544 Points:890,720 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:31:58 AM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse Sweet, I'd get one. Hydrogen is the way!
craigsf38 Champion Author Rochester Posts:1,302 Points:551,825 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:31:18 AM Ignore craigsf38 Report Abuse now if they could just find a way to fuel 'em with my garden hose....
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,657 Points:252,670 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:28:14 AM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse To all, On the day after the news broke that the Courts upheld “Under God We Trust” on our money - and the words, “Under God” is constitutional in the Pledge of Allegiance, as we enter the Holy Days of Saturday and Sunday, is there a way we can put aside our differences? It is my hope and prayer that we can all find common ground and move to a future that protects our children and their children.
goldseeker Champion Author West Virginia Posts:12,910 Points:1,748,340 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:27:42 AM Ignore goldseeker Report Abuse Could be the way to go.
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:1,537 Points:167,480 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:25:36 AM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse By the time all falls into place, we may be in big trouble.
misterray Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,147 Points:527,965 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:25:36 AM Ignore misterray Report Abuse The future is behind us.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:17,950 Points:2,132,045 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:24:23 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse the future will be interesting for sure !
pyndasky Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,956 Points:820,780 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:23:07 AM Ignore pyndasky Report Abuse now if they could just find a way to fuel 'em with my garden hose....
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,013 Points:774,360 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:22:34 AM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse Sounds encouraging.
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:3,900 Points:1,006,620 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:21:14 AM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse This is really a long term project but interesting to read about. Wonder if anyone will want all the trouble to have a station at home? Time will tell.
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,362 Points:910,405 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:21:07 AM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse Good. We need all types of power.
lindact Champion Author New Haven Posts:4,024 Points:789,815 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:20:53 AM Ignore lindact Report Abuse Futuristic but possible.
uptherefiners Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,167 Points:273,975 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:18:20 AM Ignore uptherefiners Report Abuse Hondo would stomp Honda anyday Toyota Sucks who's nissan?
RockCity Champion Author Denver Posts:2,717 Points:484,845 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:17:20 AM Ignore RockCity Report Abuse I don't think they need a charge.
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:249,249 Points:1,137,650 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:12:42 AM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse ... but when is Honda going to get more than 100 miles per charge? ...
PhilMils Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,146 Points:454,725 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:05:50 AM Ignore PhilMils Report Abuse Interesting, but not really new.
JettaKnight Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,048 Points:1,306,550 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:05:47 AM Ignore JettaKnight Report Abuse sillywagon New York "Isn't energy lost in the process of making Hydrogen? Wouldn't it be better just to use an electric car? There will be advances in both electric vehicles and hydrogen in the next few decades. but I still don't see a solution to the energy loss in making Hydrogen. I see advances in batteries in the near future, I read the articles on GasBuddy about battery advances. Oh, and don't forget Liquid Natural Gas as a fuel." Forget L.N.G., it's non-renewable, so it's out. The same crap being pulled now by big oil will be played-out with L.N.G. if people are dumb enough to think that another limited resource will economically replace the other. They couldn't pull that crap if the resource is renewable. "Energy lost"... that just depends upon what you're using. If another renewable energy source (solar-voltaic, solar-thermal, wind, wave, water current, geothermal, hydro-electric, etc.), then the energy produced is virtually free and the costs to produce hydrogen become minimal... and the only way, so far, to make hydrogen production affordable on a large scale. Hydrogen can not only be used in fuel-cells, but with internal combustion engines for the high-performance that commuter vehicles lack: BMW designed & built some vehicles to demonstrate that practicality... including a racer — the H2R.
ItsMorph Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:26,712 Points:2,212,935 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:57:54 PM Ignore ItsMorph Report Abuse True, you could just hook most people up to a bean burrito and a siphon tube and power a vehicle with natural gas nearly indefinitely, but still....gravitic power is the way to go. We're not nearly there yet, unfortunately.
dbatw Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,686 Points:341,165 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:52:39 PM Ignore dbatw Report Abuse if I were a betting person, I would place my bet on Honda. In the near term, however, the Nissan Leaf is the best solution.
Muke Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:2,778 Points:704,235 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:51:31 PM Ignore Muke Report Abuse Honda is now a leading Car after Toyota.
Bus561 Champion Author Lexington Posts:11,497 Points:2,244,575 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:45:14 PM Ignore Bus561 Report Abuse I, for one have long professed that hydrogen is the best and easiest way to go for an alternative energy source.
katiejayWV Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,270 Points:384,060 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:44:11 PM Ignore katiejayWV Report Abuse Not enough power.
MiniFan Champion Author California Posts:1,833 Points:590,100 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:39:44 PM Ignore MiniFan Report Abuse will see how H cars do
jjw0608 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:3,382 Points:1,002,370 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:39:25 PM Ignore jjw0608 Report Abuse Honda sucks!
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,111 Points:773,975 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:35:01 PM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse OK, mass produce this gadget and make it affordable.
tnsilvertip Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,199 Points:444,890 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:33:56 PM Ignore tnsilvertip Report Abuse If they keep on looking, one day they will find a suitable replacement for dino oil.
graceman Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,288 Points:431,700 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:30:48 PM Ignore graceman Report Abuse BUYAMERICAN!!
wardancerr Veteran Author Tucson Posts:309 Points:90,455 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:21:06 PM Ignore wardancerr Report Abuse hmmmmm
traindude Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,335 Points:785,750 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:17:23 PM Ignore traindude Report Abuse bring 'em both. just like Beta & VHS time will tell
wiwhite87 Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,034 Points:120,835 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2010 11:15:07 PM Ignore wiwhite87 Report Abuse Electric splitting of hydrogen is likely the way of the future, but it may be distant before it's economical in comparison to other fuels. I'm glad to see that Honda is still pursuing it, even if they admit it's not economic currently. Because of forethought like this, they'll probably lure buyers in. I know I'm most tempted by their technological advances compared to most makers.