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Japan considering offering free hydrogen cars because $30k incentives apparently not enough

There's no such thing as a free lunch. A free hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, though? It may become a possibility in Japan, says Automotive News. We know the Japanese government is being plenty supportive of hydrogen vehicles since it will provide about $20,000 worth of incentives to prospective customers of the $69,000 vehicle. And with local governments like Toyota City's Aichi prefecture supplying another $10,000, out of pocket costs could reach less than $40,000 for the Toyota hydrogen car. We don't know for sure that the 'free' H2 car will happen, but with Toyota starting sales of its first production FCV next spring (potentially named Mirai), it could happen. That would also spell good news for Honda, which will follow up Toyota's effort for its own hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle. The case for the free car is still pretty tenuous. Automotive News, citing the Nihon Keizai business publication, reports that the Japanese government has thrown around the idea of subsidizing the vehicles outright to early adopters just to gain some momentum for this kind of zero-emissions vehicles. Heck, the government would even throw in free fuel for good measure. We'll see about that. To see some of the official hydrogen excitement, click here for a video of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe taking a Toyota fuel cell vehicle for a brisk test drive. Featured Gallery Toyota at 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Toyota Government/Legal Green Honda Toyota Hydrogen Cars incentives h2

Autoblog Minute: 2016 Honda Civic reveal

Honda reveals the 2016 Civic in Detroit proving that the Frankfurt Motor show isn't the only place for automotive news in September. Autoblog's Mylencia Gillenwaters reports on this edition of Autoblog Mintue with Eddie Sabatini reporting. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] Honda reveals the 2016 Civic in Detroit proving that the Frankfurt Motor show isn't the only place for automotive news in September. I'm Mylencia Gillenwaters and this is your Autoblog Minute. 2016 will mark the 10th generation Honda Civic, an iconic car that dates back to the 1970s. The automaker invited us to a reveal of the interior and exterior for their standard sedan. We sent Autoblog's Eddie Sabatini for a closer look: [Eddie Sabatini Interview] With the base model, Honda is aiming for a fuel economy rating of at least 40 miles per gallon in the 2016 Civic. And coming soon, closer looks at the: Civic coupe - five door hatchback - Si - and Type R. For Autoblog, I'm Mylencia Gillenwaters. Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals.

The time our long-term Honda HR-V didn't get into an accident

I was driving our long-term 2016 Honda HR-V to its final day at the Autoblog office when a Kia Sephia in front of me hit the curb and spun into traffic. The driver overcorrected and the car jumped back over the curb. I could practically feel the impact I was facing down as I stomped on the brakes. The HR-V stopped seconds ahead of what would have been a two-car accident. It was another non-event in its year with us. Luckily, the lady in the Kia was all right, though her Sephia might not ride again. I was fine too, obviously. The incident renewed my enthusiasm for the little crossover. Yes, there are more impressively equipped vehicles in the compact-CUV segment, some of which will apply the brakes for you when they sense an impending collision, but the Honda HR-V is great for what it is – a sturdy, efficient, and versatile car with good fuel economy and a low sticker price. Car enthusiasts are vocal about CUV burnout, as one after another hits the market, but honestly, these vehicles aren't for the gearheads. They're for people who think of their vehicles as tools that enhance their daily lives. The HR-V is a fine and dandy tool, one that those pesky, anti-car millennials will find attractive as they start to buy houses and start families while grappling with paying down student loan debt. There's a reason the HR-V beats the related Honda Fit in sales month after month, and we saw it first hand. The HR-V was the workhorse of the Autoblog office. This unassuming CUV has been through a lot over the past year. I used it when I moved three times in six months. I was surprised to find that a CUV based on the tiny Fit could pack away so much stuff. When I finally escaped the cycle of crummy, law-flouting landlords, the HR-V was the vehicle that hauled the first load of stuff to my very first house. Of course, the CVT is nothing to write home about but the overall driving dynamics aren't actually bad. And, as I learned that last morning with the HR-V, it has no problem going from 45 mph to a dead stop when you need it to. Related Video: