Honda Car Forum

Honda has paced the industry in the development and application of hydrogen
fuel cell technology as well as the refueling infrastructure that ultimately
will be required to take it to the mass market.

Always, Honda has sought to apply its latest technology in real-world settings
and to meet or exceed customers' expectations for the quality, reliability
and safety of its fuel cell vehicles. Honda-developed technology has broken
through technical barriers for fuel cell vehicles such as cold-weather start-up
and operation. Uniquely, Honda is also developing technology to answer the "chicken
and the egg" dilemma of the vehicle and the refueling infrastructure.

FCX (Fuel Cell Vehicle)

The FCX became the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel cell vehicle to also
meet all safety standards in July 2002. The FCX was also the world's first
production fuel cell vehicle, introduced to the U.S. and Japan in October 2002.
Additional highlights include:

• The FCX was the first fuel cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing
  temperatures (2003).


• The FCX was the first fuel cell vehicle placed in the hands of an individual
  customer, the Spallino family of Southern California (July 2005).


• The world's youngest fuel cell customer, 17-year-old actress Q'orianka
  Kilcher leased an FCX in March 2007, making her the first person ever whose
  first car was powered by hydrogen.


• In five years of use with fleet customers including government entities
  in California, Nevada and the state of New York, the FCX has performed well
  under often harsh conditions, with minimal service support even in the extreme
  heat of the Western deserts and the bitter cold of the Northeast.

Next-Generation Honda Fuel Cell Technology

Honda's next-generation fuel cell vehicle, based on the FCX Concept
with Honda's V Flow stack, will be marketed to customers in the U.S. and
Japan beginning in 2008.

• The next-generation sedan features a low center of gravity and a full-sized
  cabin, offering a level of driving pleasure and roomy interior previously
  unimaginable in a fuel cell vehicle.


• New Honda V Flow fuel cell stack delivers more power in less space with
  improved efficiency, power output, driving range, reliability and cold-weather
  performance.


• The compact form and vertical-orientation of the V Flow stack provide for
  a low-floor, low-riding, short-nose body that contributes to the vehicle's
  roomy sedan interior and futuristic appeal.

Hydrogen Home Energy Station and Improved Solar-Cell Technology

Uniquely, Honda is also developing technology to answer the "chicken
and the egg" dilemma of the vehicle and the refueling infrastructure.
This includes the third-generation of development of its experimental Home Energy
Station and Honda-developed solar cell technology to power its own fuel cell
vehicles in a completely carbon-free energy system

• Honda is testing the third-generation Home Energy Station at Honda R&D
  America's headquarters in Torrance, California, developed in partnership
  with Plug Power, Inc. A second-generation system is also in operation at Plug
  Power headquarters in Albany, NY.


• The Home Energy Station is a home refueling unit that provides hydrogen
  from natural gas for vehicle refueling, heat for domestic hot water use and
  electricity for the home.


• Honda R&D is also operating an experimental solar cell-powered hydrogen
  refueling station in Torrance, California. The station employs next-generation
  CIGS solar cells, developed by Honda Engineering Co., Ltd., which lowers the
  amount of non-renewable energy required for hydrogen production.