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Are Alternative Fuels Only for the Rich and Famous?
Aug 22 2008 by Lori Hindman
8/22/08
Only 200 Get To Lease Honda FCX Clarity
Recently, actress Jamie Lee Curtis received her new car. Yeah, I know, that’s not really news. But the cool part is that her new car is an FCX Clarity, Honda’s hydrogen-powered, zero-emissions sedan. I’ll say it again: Zero. Emissions. Of course, that’s not entirely accurate. I mean, the Clarity does emit something: water vapor. So while “zero” is technically a misnomer, I’ll take it. Or Jamie will. You know what I mean.
When I read the news, my first reaction was, “Cool! When can I get one?” It turns out that I can’t. Honda is delivering about 200 of these babies to folks in Japan and California who were specially selected. Honda’s criteria included more than just a credit score: Customers had to live near an existing or planned hydrogen fueling station, have certain driving patterns and storage capabilities, and pass an interview with the folks at Honda. Sheesh! I’ve seen Ph.D.s that were easier to get! And Honda’s not selling the Clarity, either. It’s available only with a lease. Honda wants to make sure that these cars are well taken care of and not chopped up by some hack mechanic. I guess that makes sense, but it sure seems like a lot of work to drive this wonder of environmental friendliness.
And then I got to wondering, where is Jamie Lee going to fill up her new car? I mean, she’s can’t just pop into any corner gas station and fill up her tank. Gaseous hydrogen, which is common in nature, isn’t common at the gas station; in fact, it’s pretty hard to come by. Here in Los Angeles there are seven places to get gaseous hydrogen. Seven. There are more in California’s Bay Area, but you can’t get from L.A. to San Francisco in the Clarity on one tank of hydrogen. Each tank of hydrogen gets about 280 miles, so there clearly won’t be any road trips in the Clarity.
I’m starting to think that as cool as the FCX Clarity is, with its equivalent of about 74 mpg and super-fast electric motor, it’s just not practical for average folks. It looks like you have to have an agent and a personal assistant to make this wonder-car work at all. For most of us, the Clarity is a glimpse of the future. It shows us what can be, and hopefully, what will be. Until there are more hydrogen stations, the wonderful world of the Clarity is reserved for those lucky few with the resources and ZIP code of Jamie Lee Curtis. Now, if that isn’t a great reason to pursue fame and fortune, I don’t know what is!
User Comments
I just got environmentally friendly myself and bought an Accord PZEV model. (Partial Zero Emissions).
It’s not a hybrid, but I know it’s a wiser vehicle for me and the planet. 15-20mpg doesn’t do me any favors.
My carpooling days are over (jumping for joy here), and if we really need 3 rows, the Pilot is still here, but retired with over 220,000 miles on it (In 5 years!!!).
Not everyone is as fortunate as I am to be able to have one eco-concious car, but keep their family hauler for when its needed. However, I think it’s the people who can do what I’m doing who really need to do it anyways. If that made sense at all?
Now what are the chances that Honda would let a MotherProof test be conducted??? 
Hi Cat,
Yes, we have to start somewhere. But I want it NOW! (that was Veruca Salt, in case you missed it.)
And Kitty! Hi! Does this new car purchase explain why we haven’t seen you in a while? And why are your ‘pooling days over? Was it something that just happened (i.e. your kids are now old enough to take the bus) or something you decided (you were tired of carpooling and decided to put them on the bus)?
Sara,
My carpooing days are nearing an end. My husband’s new job is en route to the kids school, so they hop in the back seat of his car and he drops them off. I originally thought this would be some miraculous way for me to be able to sleep in and not have to wake at 6:30 to begin nagging everyone out of their beds. So not the case!
This momma is still the nagger who has to say “rise and shine!” about 12 times each school day morning before a foot even hits the bedroom floor. I’ll admit, I enjoy being a part of the process though. 
My Accord is plenty roomy, and when it’s just one of my kids I can still take two more no problem. There’s tons of room in the trunk for bags and other mom-essentials, and it looks good to boot. I was tempted to get the 2009 Pilot, but I’m glad I didn’t, because it’s been fun to spend the $250 extra I spent on gas each month on myself, or fun things for my family.
Carpooling may be the best thing for some people, but in my case, it’s working out better for me to just make one trip to school each day and pick up the kids. Plus! That car ride to schools ensures that the kids and dad get time with each other each day, in case business brings him home late at night.
Now if I had that FCX… man would I be feelin’ green!
I think you’re right, it’s what’s on our horizon. But that’s pretty much how consumerism works. Two tangents: JLC looks fantastic, clearly a real woman (albeit movie star) with real gray and did Ed Begley Jr get one?