Concept Debuts In Europe Next Generation Honda FCX

Though the FCX has been around awhile, the latest version has a few interesting modifications. First, the new FCX features fuel cells are laid in a new configuration which allows gravity to drain the water produced by the fuel cell. This helps achieve a higher output.

As a result, the new fuel cell is 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than the current version. The power output, however, is 14kW greater. Overall the powerplant is about 180kg lighter and has a volume that is 40 percent smaller than prior models.

Another improvement is a better low temperature start-up. The FCX can start at temperatures 10 degrees C lower than the current model -- as low as minus 30 degrees C.This new feature is definitely going to be put to the test in Sweden!

Overall, while the new FCX energy efficiency is only about 10 percent better than the current model, it is about three times better than a gasoline engine vehicle and two times better than a hybrid vehicle. Take that, Prius!

Honda says that it plans to release the FCX in limited numbers starting in 2008 in Japan and the U।S.

Read More

Honda FCX Gets The (Tax) Breaks From IRS

The credit is part of the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005, which seeks to promote affordable, dependable and environmentally-sound production and distribution of energy for America's future.

Propelled by electricity that is generated by a hydrogen fuel cell in conjunction with an advanced Honda-designed ultracapacitor, the FCX fuel cell vehicle's only emission is water vapor.

"This tax credit helps offset the higher costs associated with the early development of advanced technology vehicles that reduce CO2 emissions and dependence on oil. It is a further validation that the FCX is a real vehicle and another step towards market viability" said Stephen Ellis, Fuel Cell Vehicle Marketing Manager at American Honda Motor *** Inc.

In public use since 2002, the FCX is part of a long line of Honda vehicles developed to reduce the impact of transportation on the environment. The FCX is powered by Honda's originally developed fuel cell stack (Honda FC Stack) with the breakthrough capability to start and operate in freezing temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius, along with increased performance, range and fuel efficiency compared with earlier models.

The FCX is the only fuel cell vehicle certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and U.S. EPA. The CARB and EPA have also certified the FCX as a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and the EPA has confirmed a range of 210 miles. With seating for four people, the FCX is practical for a wide range of real-world applications, allowing placement of over 15 vehicles on the road in the hands of customers, including the cities of Los Angeles; San Francisco; Las Vegas; Chula Vista, California; the California South Coast Air Quality Management District and the state of New York.

In 2005, Honda was the first to lease a fuel cell vehicle to an individual customer with a second customer added in 2007. Additionally, the Honda FCX is the only fuel cell vehicle fully certified to meet the applicable federal government crash safety standards. Honda undertook fuel cell research in 1989 and has been road testing vehicles in the United States since 1999. Honda has also been a member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership since 1999.

Read More