The LA Auto Show was the natural place for automakers to reveal their new green cars to the public for the first time.<\/p>\n
California is leading the charge for the new technology, with sizeable investments from municipalities, government agencies, and the companies building the cars. If a sustainable hydrogen economy is going to materialise in the US, it will be in California.<\/p>\n
That said, Toyota was alone in debuting a production-ready fuel cell car \u2013 the Mirai \u2013 after Honda made a late decision to delay the launch of its rival sedan. With the Mirai, Californians now have a choice of two hydrogen-fueled cars, the other being Hyundai modified Tucson. Deliveries, however, won\u2019t start until the end of next year.<\/p>\n
Following in Toyota\u2019s zero-emission footsteps was Volkswagen, which revealed a converted Golf. The \u2018HyMotion\u2018 has a similar range to the Mirai, at just over 300 miles, but no plans for production have been announced.<\/p>\n
Volkswagen\u2019s sister-brand Audi had a new take on hydrogen power, showing a plug-in hybrid A7 prototype that mated a battery-electric powertrain with fuel cells. The technology is perhaps the best compromise for travelling long distances without harmful emissions, as owners can charge up at their homes if a hydrogen station is inconvenient to reach. A new mild-hybrid concept also pointed towards a new A9 Hybrid sedan.<\/p>\n