LA Show: Honda to showcase FCEV

HONDA will add to its stable of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles with confirmation it will debut its FCEV Concept at the Los Angeles motor show next week.

The sketch released overnight by the Japanese car-maker is said to preview the possible future styling direction of Honda's next-generation fuel-cell vehicle expected to go on sale in the USA and Japan sometime in 2015 before a roll-out in Europe.

The sketch reveals a front-end design that hints at the Honda NSX supercar, but the concept will most likely carry a more futuristic design covering a conventional sedan or hatch body-style.

Honda currently produces the FCX Clarity, a fuel-cell-powered four-door hatch built at its Tochigi, Japan plant that is leased to customers over a three-year term.

The company said in a statement that it was the first car-maker to to lease fuel-cell electric vehicles to fleet customers in 2002 and there are now around two-dozen examples of the FCX Clarity on the roads in the US and Japan.

American Honda Motor Company senior vice president Mike Accavitti said the company will use the experience gained from the FCX Clarity in developing the next-generation fuel-cell vehicles.

“The Honda FCEV Concept demonstrates the company's vision for the future of personal mobility and our commitment to developing advanced alternative fuel vehicles,” he said.

“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.” One of Honda's main rivals Toyota has already confirmed it will reveal its hydrogen fuel-cell powered FCV concept at the Tokyo motor show next week. The FCV is a further development of the FCV-R sedan concept Toyota revealed at the 2011 Tokyo motor show and the new concept is said to have power of 100kW and a 500km driving range.

Honda announced in July this year it would team up with US car-making giant General Motors to produce technology for its future fuel-cell vehicles that should appear towards the end of this decade.

Honda is yet to release technical details for the FCEV but is expected to reveal more when it tears the covers off the concept at the LA Show on November 20.