Honda’s second-generation FCX achieves almost 20 per cent improvement in its EPA fuel economy rating and a 33 per cent gain in peak power (80kW vs 60kW) compared to the 2004 FCX.

With an EPA city/highway rating of 62/51 mpkg (100/82 kmpkg) – or 57mpkg (92kmpkg) combined – and an EPA-rated driving range of 305 kms, the hydrogen powered FCX delivers nearly a 20 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and range versus the 2004 model with an EPA rating of 51/46mpkg (82/74 kmpkg) or 48mpkg (77kmpkg) combined and a range of 255 kms.

In terms of energy efficiency, one mile per kilogram (mpkg) of hydrogen is almost equivalent to one mile per gallon (mpg) of gasoline. The hydrogen-powered Honda FCX has been certified by CARB as a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and by the EPA as a Tier-2 Bin 1 National Low Emission Vehicle (NLEV), the lowest possible national emission rating.

The breakthrough Honda FC Stack also provides for increased range and performance while significantly reducing the cost and complexity of the fuel cell system. It also allows the 2005 FCX to start and operate in below-freezing temperatures, which until now has been a major hurdle to the marketability of fuel cell vehicle technology.

Agency Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency Terry Tamminen said the 2005 Honda FCX achieves a significant milestone in the progress toward a hydrogen economy.

“This second generation fuel cell from Honda makes further simultaneous progress in key areas including performance, range, efficiency and cold weather operability while achieving zero emissions,” he said.

This newly certified Honda fuel cell vehicle and Honda FC Stack feature a number of technological achievements that put the 2005 Honda FCX at the leading edge of the drive for a truly mass marketable fuel cell vehicle.

Most significantly, the Honda FC stack is capable of starting in temperatures as low as -20°C while also demonstrating improved high temperature capability. Utilising a new fuel cell structure made of stamped metal separators and new aromatic membrane material, the Honda FC stack features 50 per cent fewer components and provides for easier manufacturability compared to an earlier prototype Honda stack design.

Starting with the delivery of five vehicles to the City of Los Angeles in 2002, Honda has led the automotive industry in the real world application of fuel cell vehicle technology. In 2004, Honda expanded its customer lease program to include the City of San Francisco and California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), providing both with two vehicles for daily use. In addition to California applications, the company will place the 2005 FCX with a customer in the northeastern United States later this year, further expanding its customer base and demonstrating the cold-weather capabilities of the Honda FC stack.

The Honda FCX is the world’s most advanced FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) in regular daily operation and the first hydrogen-powered FCV to be certified by CARB and the USEPA, as a 2003 model in July 2002. Honda started fuel cell research in 1989 and has been road testing vehicles in the United States and Japan since 1999.

Honda FCX Environmental and Technical Achievements

2004

• The 2005 FCX, Honda’s second generation FCV, is certified by CARB as a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and by the EPA as a Tier-2 Bin 1 National Low Emission Vehicle (NLEV).
• The South Coast Air Quality Management District takes delivery of two FCX vehicles.
• The City of San Francisco takes delivery of two FCX vehicles.
• The Honda fuel cell stack (Honda FC Stack) is publicly demonstrated in Japan in below freezing weather conditions.

2003

• Honda develops breakthrough fuel cell stack (Honda FC Stack) that starts and operates at temperatures below freezing while improving fuel economy, range and performance with reduced cost and complexity.
• The city of Los Angeles takes delivery of three more FCX vehicles.
• Honda showcases fuel cell technology at 2003 Challenge Bibendum.
• Honda begins experiments with hydrogen Home Energy Station (HES) and improves solar cell technology for production of hydrogen.

2002

• The 2003 model year Honda FCX becomes the first and only hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle to receive both EPA and CARB certification for commercial use.
• The City of Los Angeles begins a lease programme with two Honda FCX vehicles, the world's first commercial application of a fuel cell vehicle.

2001

• The first solar powered hydrogen production and fueling station built and operated by an auto company opens in Southern California at Honda R&D Americas headquarters in Torrance, California, as part of Honda's fuel cell technology and infrastructure development efforts.
• Fuel cell prototype vehicle FCX-V4 is introduced.

2000

• Honda introduces and demonstrates fuel cell prototype vehicle FCX-V3 at the California Fuel Cell Partnership in Sacramento, California.

1999

• Honda Introduces fuel cell prototype vehicles FCX-V1 and FCX-V2.

1997

• Honda’s EV Plus, showcasing the first application of advanced nickel-metal hydride batteries in an electric vehicle, goes on sale in California.