Fuel-cell tech in City of Angels

Toyota, Honda and Hyundai have all presented fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The marques plan to offer the cars in California although their roll-outs will be limited. Hyundai’s FCV Tucson has already been leased to about 85 customers in Southern California for about US$766 per month, while Honda’s Clarity will be available in late-2016. Toyota says it has received expressions of interest from more than 2,000 people and its Mirai can run for about 770km between charges. Bill Fay, Toyota’s general manager for brand sales in the US, says a concerted private-public push is needed to build more refuelling stations. “We need the government to support the investment in this, and hope Honda and Hyundai will be coming in and provide some support. Then I think we have some critical mass to build from and take off from there.” However, low fuel prices in the US undermine demand for both FCVs and electric vehicles, with only about 0.4 per cent of new cars and trucks sold in the US being electric. Johan de Nysschen, president of General Motors’ Cadillac luxury brand, says: “The electric car that has earned one dime for its maker hasn’t been created yet.” The company, however, has still planned a new electric Chevrolet model with a projected 320km range and is also experimenting with fuel-cell technology.