Honda plans fuel-cell car
Honda’s set to roll out a new fuel-cell vehicle (FCEV) in 2015, with the announcement coming just a day after Toyota saying it planning to release a similar vehicle. The FCEV runs on hydrogen gas and oxygen, which an on-board fuel cell stack converts into electricity. The only emission is water vapour. Honda claims it will be the first fuel-cell vehicle to feature the entire powertrain contained entirely in the engine bay to maximise interior space. Improved technology has increased output to more than 100kW with extra power coming from a smaller fuel-cell stack. It has a range of more than 482km. The concept was designed with aerodynamics in mind, featuring a long, swooping side profile and covered rear wheel arches. Honda, Japan’s third-largest automaker, wants to launch the new vehicle in the US in 2015 and Europe at a later date. The marque is also working on what it calls “home energy stations” which extract hydrogen from natural gas and work off solar power. The technology could also be extended to hot-water heating and electricity in homes.
