Road Test: Honda FCX Concept

When I talk of hydrogen as transportation fuel, you think of the Hindenburg, right? But hydrogen got a bum rap in that disaster, since the Hindenburg's flaming demise was likely due to the airship's flammable powdered-aluminum coating. Hydrogen, in fact, can be a safer fuel than gasoline, and Honda is betting billions we'll flock to its hydrogen fuel-cell hybrid FCX (sure to be renamed) sedan when it comes out in 2008. You might have to kick me out of line first. I tested the FCX on California's Laguna Seca Raceway and was given no caveats by the Honda folks on how to drive the thing.

I turned the key and heard a whir as air mixed with hydrogen. I stepped on the gas-- make that hydrogen -gas pedal--and launched forward with a powerful pull. All was silent. That's because the FCX's hydrogen is used to create power for an electric motor. The car sounds like a golf cart, albeit one with a few kitchen-blender-sounding whirs from the mixing of gases, and maybe a slight whine, like that of a very quiet aircraft engine. And then, wow. The FCX accelerates at freeway on-ramp speed, it brakes equally well and the steering is sharp. I hardly noticed it was powered differently from any of today's vehicles, except for its remarkable silence. Oh, yes, there's one more thing. Since hydrogen mixes with air to create energy, its only exhaust is water.

Tip: California and New York residents can now buy Honda's Civic GX, which runs on clean-burning natural gas, for $25,185.

© 2006