Segway Hydrogen M/C

[Aa3jy]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/segw...100000852.html

[cjs350]

Last summer went shopping for a car. Before the Pandemic when I was commuting from home to downtown LA, about 15 miles, and depending upon the time of day, 25 minutes up to 1.5 hours. Then I discovered the "Commuter Express" bus that has a stop about 1.5 miles from my house and for /50 cents I ride one way, and it stops 1/2 block from my office. So a cheap efficient car to replace my beat to shit 2005 Prius was in order. Of course the pandemic has turned the world on its head, and I've been working from home for the last year.

Anyway, I was intrigued by Toyota's battery driven hydrogen recharged "Marai". The biggest Toyota dealer in the US (I think) Roger Penske's Longo Toyota had many new and used models in stock. New they sticker for about $60,000. However, cars coming off 2 year leases, and given the blessing of the Toyota "CPO" (certified prior owner) models with about 30,000 miles were being offered for $16,000, with 150,000 mile bumper to bumper warranties, 5 year 0% financing, and, get this, a $15,000 prepaid debit card for use at any hydrogen filling station - essentially a free car.

I took a test drive and bought one. Candidly, it truly is the nicest car I've ever owned (and I've been down the Mercedes/Infiniti/Jaguar path). Incredibly quiet, comfortable, has every imaginable bell and whistle. Range, about 250 miles, cost to fill about $65, but again I don't pay for fuel.

Drawbacks? As I understand it, in the US, the hydrogen infrastructure is, except in California, pretty much non-existent. CA is about the only place where there are hydrogen filling stations, and they are not on every corner, an "APP" will show you the nearest one, and how much fuel it has on hand, it happens at times that the hydrogen stations can be low, or out, particularly after the big Texas freeze a couple of months ago. Can't drive to to say Arizona, no hydrogen there, yet.

Fun part, button on the dash labeled "H20", stop, hit the button, and the cars emissions are dumped on the street, and oh yeah, the emissions, well, its just water.

I do think that hydrogen will be workable as an alternative fuel as the infrastructure becomes more robust.