Honda To Lease Fuel-Cell Vehicle To California Couple

ENERGY TECH

Jon and Sandy Spallino and their chidren sit in a Honda FCX hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle 29 June, 2005 in Los Angeles California. Marking a historic achievement in the evolution of the automobile and the advancement of future transportation technology, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., leased its revolutionary advanced hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle, to the world's first individual customers. Honda said the Spallinos would be among the first individuals to begin using the first of California's Hydrogen Highway refueling stations, a plan announced by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. 'The Spallinos will use the FCX in everyday normal use, including commuting to work to Orange County, trips to school for their children, shopping and household errands,' the automaker said in a statement. AFP Photo/Ho

Los Angeles (AFP) Jun 29, 2005
Jon and Sandy Spallino may be turning heads with their new car, since they will be the first on their block - and possibly the world - with a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.

American Honda Motor, the US unit of the Japanese automaker, said Wednesday it was leasing its hydrogen-powered FCX, to the world's first individual customers, the Spallinos of Redondo Beach, California.

The announcement is part of an effort to showcase the environmentally friendly auto technology.

Honda said it was the only automaker to certify its fuel cell vehicle for regular daily use and the first to offer its technology to an individual customer.

"The Spallinos will use the FCX in everyday normal use, including commuting to work to Orange County, trips to school for their children, shopping and household errands," the automaker said in a statement.

"American Honda Motor Co. is thrilled to introduce the world's first fuel cell family," said John Mendel, senior vice president, automotive operations, for American Honda. "We're pleased to be taking this historic step forward in the further advancement of our fuel cell program.

"With this announcement, Honda furthers its commitment to the continued advancement of this technology for the benefit of society, with the ultimate goal of achieving large-scale commercialization of fuel cell vehicles."

Honda said the Spallinos would be among the first individuals to begin using the first of California's Hydrogen Highway refueling stations, a plan announced by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Some automakers have been providing fuel-cell vehicles, which produce electric power from renewable hydrogen, to government agencies but the Honda test is believed to be the first for ordinary consumers.

Analysts say fuel cells represent the future of automotive technology but will require several years to become economical and develop a network of fueling stations.

Honda's has 13 FCX fuel cell vehicles in regular daily use with six public municipal customers in California, New York and Nevada.

"The Spallinos' experience with the FCX will provide Honda engineers with real-world driving experience and feedback by an individual family, which will be invaluable as we design future models," Mendel said.

All rights reserved. � 2005 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.

ENERGY TECH

ITER Deal Brings A Welcome End To Divisive Talks

Brussels (AFP) Jun 28, 2005
The decision to build the ITER experimental nuclear reactor in France has brought an end to months of tense talks during which European negotiators tried to pressure Japan into dropping the project.

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.