When we think about increasing efficiency in vehicles, we often think smaller engines with less cylinders, and even hybrid or all-electric models. However, the transmission in your vehicle has a hand in increasing fuel efficiency and Honda has a patent on an 11-speed transmission that should be a real game changer.
There are a lot of hybrid vehicles on the road these days but their engines rely on the use of rare-earth metals. Unfortunately, the price of rare-earth metals is expected to rise by 14% every year, so Honda knew they had to stop trying on them. Recently, they announced that an upcoming hybrid vehicle will use a different material entirely.
Honda issued a press release last week indicating that it will be adding two variants to the Clarity Fuel Cell, which will give customers even more environmentally responsible options in the Honda lineup. The Clarity Fuel Cell will lead the Clarity Series initially, set for a limited U.S. release in late 2016, with the Clarity Electric following in 2017, and the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid coming on the heels of that model during late 2017.
