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Automotive

Honda's FCV takes fuel cell vehicle concept a step farther

By Ben Coxworth
November 18, 2014
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Honda's FCV Concept
Honda's FCV Concept
Its entire powertrain is located under the hood/bonnet, allowing for a roomier cabin that can seat five passengers as opposed to the FCX's four
Using the prototype Honda Power Exporter, the FCV can supply electricity from its fuel cell in the event of outages
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A year ago this month, Honda unveiled its hydrogen fuel cell-powered FCEV Concept. The car represents the basic platform upon which the successor to the automaker's currently-available (but limited-production) FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle will be based. Yesterday in Japan, Honda revealed a refined version of the FCEV, in the form of the FCV Concept.

Like the FCEV, the FCV offers some major improvements over the FCX. These include a 33 percent smaller fuel cell stack that has an output of over 100 kW (134 hp) and output density of up to 3.1 kW/L – 60 percent better than the FCX's fuel cell. Additionally, its entire powertrain is located under the hood/bonnet, allowing for a roomier cabin that can seat five passengers as opposed to the FCX's four.

While the FCEV can reportedly travel over 300 miles (483 km) per three-minute fueling, however, the FCV can manage 435 (700 km). Additionally, using the prototype Honda Power Exporter (pictured below), the FCV can supply electricity from its fuel cell in the event of outages.

Using the prototype Honda Power Exporter, the FCV can supply electricity from its fuel cell in the event of outages

The production vehicle based on the FCEV/FCV is scheduled to be commercially available in Japan as of March 2016, followed by a rollout in the US and Europe.

Source: Honda

View gallery - 4 images

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AutomotiveConcept CarsHondaFuel CellHydrogen-poweredElectric Vehicles
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Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.
9 comments
Freyr Gunnar
How is that hydrogen produced?
Financially, how does it compare to using gasoline?
Bill Bennett
Umm, did you notice the new Toyota hydrogen car, not a prototype, on the street for $57K today?
Slowburn
Expensive, ugly, and designed to solve a problem that does not exist.
Dziks
@Slowburn hydrogen can help global addiction to the oil. Today economy is driven by oil price and that is a big weakness in my opinion.
Also electric motor is MUCH better solution than internal combustion...
Mel Tisdale
@ Slowburn "designed to solve a problem that does not exist"
It would help us to comprehend your comment if you were to specify the problem that you consider not to exist and why, of course.
Matt Ritchie
Never understand why future prototypes look so stupid! Must be the same designer from the 80's. Never retired, just stuck in there. Always the same slightly covered rear wheel.
Robert Walther
On the same day, two contenders for vehicle design of the year by the optically deranged.
johnflood
See better looking than the Toyota... just but Japan rarely wins the car design for the looks, even though I am sure lots of thought has gone into both cars perhaps too much, car design needs to be simple and flowing , an emotive event every time you see it you want to drive it !
mojojirz
@ Bill Bennett: For limited sale at the end of next year is not "on the street for $57K today".
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