Honda previews fuel-cell future

Honda is previewing its fuel-cell future with a new concept car that will be shown off at the LA Auto Show. The FCEV – fuel cell electric vehicle – is supposedly giving us a big hint about the look of Honda's first-generation production fuel-cell car, which is due to go on sale in 2015. It will be available first in the US and Japan, with Europe to follow later.

So far all Honda is prepared to reveal is a sketch of the concept (below), but the influence it draws from the NSX concept, as well as the existing FCX Clarity hydrogen-powered car, is clear.

Honda, Toyota, Mercedes and others have promised to put fuel-cell cars on sale by 2015 in the hope of pushing the technology forwards. Fuel cells combine hydrogen with oxygen to generate an electric current, with water vapour being the only emission.

"The Honda FCEV Concept demonstrates the company's vision for the future of personal mobility and our commitment to developing advanced alternative-fuel vehicles," says Mike Accavitti, senior vice-president of American Honda Motor Co. "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."