Depending on who you ask, hydrogen energy is both the longer term of the automotive phrase or a large waste of cash. Clearly, Honda thinks it’s the previous because it’s simply teased the discharge of a hydrogen-powered CR-V that’s coming to America later this 12 months. There’s only one catch, the variety of filling stations you’ll be capable to high up at is falling quickly.
The hydrogen-powered CR-V has been within the works for a while, however Honda has simply given us our first glimpse on the completed automobile, albeit shrouded in camouflage. The new mannequin, which was delivered to our consideration by the oldsters at Car And Driver, will be a part of the gas- and hybrid-powered fashions within the U.S. later this 12 months.
For its newest hydrogen-powered mannequin, Honda has partnered with General Motors to construct the gas cells that may energy the automobile. The cells will convert hydrogen fuel to electrical energy, which can then be used to energy a motor within the new CR-V.
However, that received’t be the one technique of powering the brand new automobile, as Honda has additionally fitted the CR-V with a plug, which means that drivers can cost their automobile up at regular EV charging stations throughout America.
The powertrain isn’t the one change that’s been made to the CR-V you see right here, as Honda has give it a flourish of design tweaks to make it stand out from the gang. Up entrance, the form of the grille is barely completely different, the headlights have been tweaked and the decrease quarter has additionally been up to date. It’s all minimal, however noticeable.
Interestingly, it seems like this will likely be a automobile that’s run on electrical energy much more than hydrogen, as there are at the moment greater than 130,000 charging factors for EVs throughout America. In distinction, there’s simply 59 retail hydrogen filling stations, and all of them are situated in California.
In reality, the way forward for hydrogen within the U.S. was thrown into doubt this week when oil big Shell introduced that it was closing it’s publicly accessible hydrogen filling stations. The Dutch oil firm introduced the closure of all seven of its retail hydrogen pumps earlier this week, and stated it might as an alternative concentrate on hydrogen as a gas for heavy vans and industrial automobiles.
I’m no professional, however I’d say the CR-V doesn’t rely as a industrial car or heavy truck, in order that begs the query: who will truly purchase and use this automobile?
Source: jalopnik.com