More Info. on Honda's plan for a bioethanol research plant

Tokyo, Japan - Honda Motor Company has announced that it plans to build a new research facility for bioethanol production technology from non-edible cellulosic material, such as the stems and leaves of plants. The facility will be built in Kazusa Akademia Park in Japan.

The new facility of Honda R&D will be a single, 1,050-square-metre building, with construction scheduled to begin in April 2009. The company’s goal is to begin operations in November 2009.

Honda has been collaborating on research into bioethanol production technology since 2006 with RITE (Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth) and has been conducting research on the bioethanol conversion process in an experimental plant since April 2007. The new building will allow for research using a large-scale experimental facility that will enable more accurate evaluations.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/02/26/honda-plans-bioethanol-research-plant.htm

Honda to build biofuel research centre

Honda plans to set up a biofuel R&D unit in Kazusa Akademia Park in Japan's Chiba Prefecture.

Source;
http://www.automotiveworld.com/WAM/content.asp?contentid=75019
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First U.S.-spec Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicles roll off production line

Honda today announced its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity, started production at the automaker's dedicated fuel cell vehicle factory in Japan. The first five four-seater sedans will be delivered to American VIPs in Southern California in July, with Honda planning on releasing 200 examples Stateside and in Japan over three years. The FCX is the first fuel cell-powered car to be approved for lease in the U.S.

The five California customers include film producer Ron Yerxa, actress and author Jamie Lee Curtis, her film-making husband Christopher Guest, actress Laura Harris and first-gen FCX owner Jon Spallino. The region has three Honda dealers equipped to service the vehicle and three hydrogen filling stations. Honda will study the drivers' driving patterns and the vehicle's performance to learn and improve on the technology in future versions of the car.

The Clarity promises to deliver a 280-mile range and an equivalent gasoline fuel economy of about 74mpg thanks to its lithium ion battery pack that drives an electric motor. Electricity for the battery pack is generated by the fuel cell, with the only by-product being water. Compared to the first-generation car, which was available in Japan only, the new FCX represents a 30 percent increase in range and a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy thanks to a battery pack that is 40 percent smaller and half as heavy.

The FCX's motor is rated at 134 horsepower and 189 lb-ft of torque available instantenously. Customers who wish to lease the FCX will need to meet Honda's requirements (proximity to filling stations and driving habits chief among them) and sign up for a three-year lease at $600 per month.

Source;
http://www.leftlanenews.com/first-us-spec-honda-fcx-clarity-fuel-cell-vehicles-roll-off-production-lines.html

Honda's Working on alot of Things, but....

Whoa! Now I think I've heard it all! Honda is working on gas-electric, clean diesel, clean diesel Hybrid, Fuel cells, but I don't think they've covered this one yet.
If a Quebec company has its way, dirty diapers normally destined for landfills will soon be transformed into a cost-effective, synthetic diesel fuel. The company is called AMEC out of Montreal, Canada.
Anyway, not normally a topic I cover, but I couldn't resist. Here is the article if you are interested;
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071119/diapers_diesel_071119/20071119?hub=SciTech