New Honda Insight ad debuts in Belgium
Mar 30, 2009 Auto Tech, Green Technologies
The new Honda Insight is the cheapest hybrid on sale and now, the car has an innovative ad as well. Enjoy the “Let it shine” video here:
The commercial, called ‘Let it Shine’, was created by the Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam and uses a bank of Insights parked in a grid near the mountains as pixels in a giant LED-like display. When the sun goes down, the headlights begin flickering on and off to create a cutesy animation to the tune of “This Little Light of Mine”. Read the rest of this entry »
Breakthrough promises cheaper fuel cells
Feb 10, 2009 Green Technologies, Information of the Day
Researchers from different universities in Ohio,US have made a breakthrough in the design of fuel cells, using carbon nanotubes infused with nitrogen as a catalyst instead of platinum and increasing the electrical output by as much as four times.
The researchers found that, “Vertically aligned nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes (VA-NCNTs) can act as a metal-free electrode with a much better electrocatalytic activity, long-term operation stability, and tolerance to crossover effect than platinum for oxygen reduction in alkaline fuel cells.”
The discovery may make way for cheaper and more efficient fuel cell designs in future. Fuel cells are being touted as one of the options to power devices of the future, from cell phones to cars (the Honda FCX is already being leased out in California). They can use hydrogen or methanol amongst others as fuels and the end product is pure water!
Read the full report here. (Requires subscription)
Tags: Fuel cells, Honda, Ohio
Honda Insight goes on sale in Japan as cheapest hybrid
Feb 6, 2009 Auto Tech
Honda Insight
Honda Insight is now on sale in Japan at a price of 1.89 million yen (~$21000), making it the cheapest hybrid on the market, undercutting the Toyota Prius. The Insight is scheduled to go on sale around March is US and Europe., with US prices reportedly less than $20000.
With the new Toyota Prius expected to cost even more than the current model, the increased price gap will only help Honda achieve its 200000 per year sales target to this baby. With a hatchback bodystyle and a claimed 43 miles to the gallon, this car would have been a sureshot hit in the world of high fuel prices few months back. But it remains to be seen if this car will expand the falling market for hybrids with its aggressive pricing or merely cannibalise the sale of Prius and other hybrids. Read the rest of this entry »
Detroit Motor Show’s green highlights
Jan 13, 2009 Auto Tech
Cadillac Converj
ike most recent motorshows, various manufacturers showcased their existing and upcoming green plans in the ongoing Detroit Motor Show. Even in this gloomy financial environment, not many are daring to abandon research into more efficient and alternate fuel vehicles.
GM showed Cadillac Converj, with Chevy Volt underpinnings. Chrysler turned up with the Jeep Patriot extended range EV. Toyota had the new Prius gracing its stands, along with the FT-EV all electric concept and Lexus HS 250h. Read on for more details! Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Chrysler, Detroit, Ford, GM, Honda, Hybrids, Lexus, Tesla, Toyota
Honda powers billboard ads on solar energy
Jan 7, 2009 Green Technologies
Honda ads
Honda has launched bilboards advertising its Accord Euro model illuminated by solar power and with green energy electric backup. Honda has partnered up with APN Outdoor to create Australia’s first eco-friendly outdoor advertisements. The solar panels provide power when possible and a backup electrical connection that gets its power from a green feed is there to pick up the slack.
Honda has invested in solar technology itself, with its Soltec subsidiary supplying solar panels for residential or commercial use. Few days back, we also heard rumors of Toyota working on a car to be powered by just solar energy. And last month saw a Japanese company launching a ship that used solar energy to power a small percentage of its needs.
Tags: australia, Honda, hybrid, Solar Energy
BBC Top Gear drives the Honda FCX Clarity as well
Dec 18, 2008 Auto Tech
In the same episode that Jeremy drove the Tesla Roadster in Top Gear, Captain Slow James May drove the Honda FCX Clarity, the fuel cell vehicle from Honda which has been leased out to few lucky blokes in California. No more words from me, just enjoy the video!
If you liked the Clarity, the future is exciting. See how Honda teased us with FCX derived concept cars recently. So here is where we think all those money Honda will be saving by pulling out of Formula 1 from 2009 will be going: fuel cell vehicle R&D!
Tags: FCX, Honda, Hybrid cars, Top Gear
Honda teases with fuel cell FC Sport Concept
Nov 20, 2008 Auto Tech
Honda FC Sport
Honda pulled the wraps off the FC Sport concept car at the LA Auto Show 2008. Using the V-Flow fuel cell stack and electric drivetrain from the FCX Clarity, the FC Sport is a three-seat sports car. The stack and drive system are moved to the back of the car for a mid-ship arrangement. The seating arrangement is similar tothree abreast like that of the McLaren F1 supercar .
Honda has already leased out its hydrogen fuel cell based sedan FCX Clarity to customers in California and there are many people (read celebrities) who are itching to get their hands on this car, if it is ever released.
But then, don’t get your hopes too high. This is non-functional “design study”concept car for now. And even concept cars with functional running gear rarely see production. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Fuel cells, Honda, Hydrogen, LA Auto Show 2008
Honda announces steep price drop for its Civic Hybrid in India
Nov 13, 2008 Auto Tech, Natural Resource Conservation
Honda Civic
Economic Times reports that Honda has just dropped the price of its Civic Hybrid by Rs.8 lacs (about $17500), only a few months after its June launch in India. All this time, the Civic Hybrid, the only hybrid available in India ( leave aside the mild hybrid Scorpio) had cost almost double the standard car. Many, who wanted to join the green bandwagon as well as loved the Civic’s racy looks, but were deterred by the price, may now well decide to buy the hybrid. The Hybrid pricing is now just Rs. 50,000 more than the automatic Civic. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Honda, Honda Civic, Hybrid cars, India, Price cut