Do you remember our post last year where were asked who would be the first to bring hydrogen fuel cell cars to the US market? Well, yea, Honda did it.

Over 50,000 people have signed up to lease the new Honda FCX Clarity vehicle which is due to come out in July 2008. The New Honda FCX Clarity is on its way to sunny California, home of the governornator where Honda expects to lease out a few dozen of these new innovative vehicles this year and increase it to around 200 units within a year.

This would be a monumental event only if everyone had access to one to replace the current gas guzzler in our driveway.

The first five customers are all based in southern California because of the proximity of hydrogen fuelling stations.

As well as author and actress Jamie Lee Curtis, first customers include ‘Cold Mountain’ film producer Ron Yerxa, business owner and car enthusiast Jim Salomon and ’24′ actress Laura Harris.

So what is the Honda FCX Clarity and what is all the hype about because I saw this on my local news station after they talked about gas being over $4 a gallon???? The Honda FCX Clarity is a new zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car. It runs on hydrogen and electricity where it only emits water. It is claimed to be two times more efficient than a current hybrid car and three times that of a standard gasoline powered car.

Honda FCX Prototype:

This is the perfect solution to our high gas prices in the perfect world where we have just as many hydrogen stations as gas stations. This leaves us with the biggest hurdle for cars of this type. Although very efficient and it “does not use gas”, when was the last time you saw a hydrogen station… hmmm probably NEVER! Actually, California has a few spots for hydrogen with many more in the works once the “deals” and “investments” are made.

You must remember that this is a very slow process in rolling out new energy stations (hydrogen stations or others) as with the whole oil consumption deal will be something that will stick around for several more years to come. We need a LOT of time and money before we see thousands of cars like the Honda FCX Clarity on our American roads. Other car companies have hydrogen “hybrids” in the works and we should find out more about them in the next few years to come as gas prices reach $5 to $7 a gallon… yes folks, it’s coming!