Vehicle manufacturers unveil new clean vehicles
Sun 18 November 2007
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Vehicle manufacturers Nissan, Honda and Renault have recently demonstrated the progress they are making on new, alternatively-fuelled vehicles. Nissan and Renault are jointly advancing electric car plans, while Honda displayed a hydrogen fuel-cell car which will be available to US customers on a 3-year lease basis.
Nissan and Renault, who make up the fourth largest car making alliance, say they plan commercial sales of electric cars using lithium ion batteries by 2012, while Honda introduced the fuel-cell powered FCX Clarity at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.
Honda's first production version of the FCX Clarity will be available to retail customers in the US next summer for a three year lease period . Initially, the cars will only be available to customers in Southern California in areas where hydrogen filling stations are available.
Honda claims the range on a full tank of hydrogen compressed to 5,000 psi is 270 miles. Testing for US homologation has been undertaken and Honda is now waiting for the paperwork to allow it to make the FCX commercially available.
In a separate development, Honda has said hybrids could account for as much as 10 per cent of its global sales by 2010. The company plans to launch a new hybrid car in 2009 with a sales target of 200,000 units.
Renault also claims to be making progress in reducing emissions from vehicle using conventional fuels. At the Michelin-organised Bibendum Challenge event in Shanghai, the company displayed its new diesel-powered Logan eco² Concept, an experimental car conceived specifically for the event.
The Logan's CO2 emissions are estimated to be just 97 g/km. The car is powered by a B30-compatible 1.5 dCi diesel engine and features modified pistons, a more effective injection system and new gearbox ratios. The dashboard is equipped with a gearshift indicator that allows the driver to optimise fuel consumption and lower emissions.
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