Honda FCEV Concept sketch. (Credit: Honda)Yesterday a sketch was released of the Honda FCEV Concept in advance of its debut at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 20. The concept model expresses a potential styling direction for Honda’s next-generation fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) launching in the U.S and Japan in 2015 and later in Europe.
“The Honda FCEV Concept demonstrates the company’s vision for the future of personal mobility and our commitment to developing advanced alternative fuel vehicles,” said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “As we work toward the introduction of our next-generation fuel-cell vehicle in 2015, our long-term experience with fuel-cell technologies will help us pave a way towards a zero-emissions future.”
In 2002, Honda was the first automaker to begin a retail initiative with the leasing of its fuel-cell electric vehicles to fleet customers. Honda also was the first automaker to put a fuel-cell electric vehicle in the hands of an individual retail consumer in 2005. Today, about two dozen customers are driving the FCX Clarity—a hydrogen fuel cell automobile based on the 2006 Honda FCX Concept.
The FCX Clarity demonstrated electric car qualities such as zero emissions while offering 5 minute refueling times and long range in a full function large sedan. It first went on sale as a 2008 model year vehicle. The FCX Clarity is currently available for lease in the U.S., Japan and Europe. In the U.S., it is only available to customers who live in Southern California where “fast-fill” hydrogen stations are available. As of 2010, 20 FCX Clarity are leased for US$600 a month which includes collision coverage, maintenance, roadside assistance and hydrogen fuel. There are around 10 others on lease in Japan and another 10 in Europe. The number of fuel cell vehicles Honda can put on the road is significantly limited by the number of hydrogen stations the company can use.
