Possibly the best feature of the FCX Clarity is that its only emission is water.

"I, as a consumer am waiting for that one (the hydrogen-fuel cell car), as hydrogen is really where it's at," says Ed McCurry with O'Brien Auto Group (formerly Delon Honda) in Salem.

Honda plans to lease the FCX Clarity to a limited number of retail consumers in the U.S. (beginning in Southern California) starting this summer. When these vehicles will be available in Oregon is unknown.  

"We don't have the infrastructure to refuel the vehicle," says McCurry, "I'm guessing it will be a good while before we have decent infrastructure."

The FCX Clarity utilizes Honda's V Flow stack, the vehicle's main power source, in combination with a lithium ion battery pack and a single hydrogen storage tank to power the vehicle's electric drive motor. Hydrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen in the fuel cell stack, where chemical energy from the reaction is converted into electric power used to propel the vehicle.

Additional energy captured through regenerative braking and deceleration is stored in the battery pack and used when needed to supplement power from the fuel cell.

"We all agree there are problems with global warming," says McCurry. "This is a tremendously green car."

The FCX Clarity also features seat upholstery and door linings made from Honda Bio-Fabric -- a newly developed, plant-based material. The vehicle comes equipped with a navigation system that includes hydrogen station locations.