Honda's Civic-like fuel cell car to hit L.A. streets by year's end

AutoWeek.com

Honda’s FCX, the world’s first fuel cell vehicle to be certified by the strict California Air Resources Board as a Zero Emission Vehicle, will hit the streets of Los Angeles by year’s end.

Five vehicles were recently purchased by the City of Los Angeles, the first official U.S. retail fuel cell car buyer. Honda has not yet released how much the city will pay for the vehicles, which are slated for use as pool cars.

The FCX’s electric motor generates electricity via hydrogen supplied to a fuel cell “stack.” Honda claims acceleration compares to its Civic, with maximum output of 80 horsepower and 201 lb-ft of torque (15 percent more than previous fuel cell cars). The FCX can travel up to 220 miles before re-charging and seats up to four people. No word yet on how the cars will be re-charged, although Honda is wrapping up discussions with the city about the needed architecture.

“This vehicle is now ready for practical use,” claims Tom Elliott, American Honda executive vice president. “Using a fleet of advanced fuel cell vehicles in a real world environment will help us evaluate these vehicles with our customers. It also will help in the development of a refueling infrastructure needed to support customers of hydrogen-powered vehicles.”

Honda plans to lease about 30 fuel cell cars under similar small fleet agreements in California and Tokyo during the next two-to-three years. The company has no immediate plans for mass-market sales of fuel cell vehicles or sales to individuals.