Fuel-cell vehicles have been dominating the news the past few months and today at the Detroit Auto Show, Honda revealed its latest fuel-cell concept to the U.S. for the first time ever. The Honda FCV concept is the second fuel cell concept from Honda, which was originally revealed last November in Japan. The FCV concept is a preview of Honda’s fuel cell vehicle that will be introduced a year from now in March 2016.
Unlike Toyota or a few other automakers that have announced new fuel cell vehicles, Honda has actually already offered a fuel cell vehicle to the public—the FCX Clarity. The newest fuel cell vehicle will take off from where the FCX Clarity left off with greater availability, a new fuel cell powertrain, and a bigger interior that can now hold up to five passengers. Compared to the FCX Clarity, the FCV Concept’s exterior is even more futuristic looking with a low and wide body that looks like it came straight from the latest sci-fi movie.
When the FCV concept arrives next year it will be powered by a fuel-cell electric powertrain, which has an output around 100kW. It will also have a driving range of more than 300 miles and it only take up to five minutes to refuel its hydrogen tank. It’s no secret that if the next-generation of fuel-cell vehicles hope to succeed, the infrastructure of hydrogen refueling stations needs to be expanded. Honda recently announced a partnership with FirstElement Fuel, which will provide $13.8 million in financial assistance to build additional hydrogen refueling stations throughout the state of California in an effort to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles.
+ Honda
Photos by Marc Carter and Mike Chino for Inhabitat
