By Ryan Douthit

Drivingsports.com

Most of the talk of hydrogen, these days, seems to revolve around fancy fuel cell vehicles like the Chevy Volt or the Honda FCX Clarity. Mazda, however, has taken a different approach. Since the early 90s it has focused research and development on using it as a combustible in modified rotary engines. DrivingSports.com takes a look at the past and future of this technology and how it compares to other hydrogen applications in this feature.

Honda’s first zero-emissions, hydrogen fuel cell car rolled off a Japanese assembly line today, to be leased in California at $600 a month for three years. The FCX Clarity runs on hydrogen and a lithium-ion battery and emits only water as exhaust. It’s purported to be twice as efficient as a gas-electric hybrid and three times more efficient than a gas-powered car, plus its fuel is an inexhaustable, naturally-occuring substance. Honda is planning on leasing out a "few dozen" of the cars this year and about 200 of them over the following three years. More from Reuters.

This weekend, I got tickets to see the The Jesus and Mary Chain, a legendary band I never thought I’d get to see again. The only thing that sucks? After the "convenience fee" and the "processing fee," a $33 ticket cost me $47.50. Ticketmaster, I hate you. Anyway, here’s the news:

• With fuel prices as high as they are, it seems like owning a filling station is like a license to print money. But Exxon Mobil doesn’t see it that way, as the company is planning to dump its stations. What’s the deal, was it tired of cleaning the bathrooms? The Street via Autoblog
• It doesn’t seem like a day goes by when we don’t hear some cool news about the next-gen iPhone, and today is no exception. So what is it? Tom Tom is going to release nav software for the sexy little hand held. Dope. Auto Express
• Godzilla has set foot on US soil. Around 50 cars are sitting at the port in Jacksonville, Florida, and while their new owners obviously can’t wait to get their hands on them, I bet the dealers are even more stoked. Hey, pocketing a 60 thousand dollar mark-up would make me smile too. Motor Authority
• Could the General sell Hummer to a Chinese company? Given that American consumers are fleeing gas guzzlers in droves, GM is keeping all options on the table. But I still don’t think it’ll happen.  China Car Times
• Ain’t nobody as dope as Honda’s FCX Clarity. The hydrogen vehicle is so fresh and so clean that Hollywood celebrities can’t help themselves. MSNBC