Honda Motor Co. (TSE:7267) said
Tuesday that it has developed a fuel cell vehicle that can
supply enough power to sustain a typical household for six
days.
The automaker modified its FCX Clarity fuel cell car, which
it currently offers through leases, by installing an inverter
in the trunk. Using the hydrogen in its fuel tank to generate
electricity, the vehicle can supply up to 9kw continuously for
more than seven hours.
Last year, power shortages caused by the Great East Japan
Earthquake led to heightened interest in using eco-friendly
vehicles as emergency power sources. But while battery-powered
vehicles can only juice up a home for a day or two using stored
reserves, fuel cells, which generate electricity, are able to
supply more energy.
Honda delivered the vehicle to the Saitama Prefecture
government, with an eye on starting full sales in 2015. It also
set up a solar-powered hydrogen station in that prefecture.
