New Improved Fuel Cell Vehicle

July 25, 2004 – Vol.9 No.18

NEW, IMPROVED HONDA FUEL CELL VEHICLE.

Like a typical new model year introduction, Honda is promoting its latest fuel cell vehicle effort - the 2005 FCX.

Here’s the latest stats:

--- A 20 percent improvement in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy of 62 miles per kilogram (mpkg) hydrogen in city driving and 51 mpkg on the highway, 57 combined, up from 51/46, 48 combined in the previous model. (A mile per kilogram of hydrogen is about equivalent to a mile per gallon of gasoline.)

--- A 33 percent increase in horsepower, 107 hp up from 80.

--- Cold start capability down to -20 Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit)

--- A driving range on compressed hydrogen of 190 miles. Hydrogen is stored at 5000 pounds per square inch (PSI) in a 156.6 liter tank.

--- Energy storage is by ultracapacitor.

--- Certified as a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Zero Emission Vehicle. EPA certified as a Tier-2 Bin 1 National Low Emission Vehicles (NLEV), the best possible EPA rating.

--- Fuel cell stack by Honda, 86 kilowatts.

--- Top speed 93 miles per hour.

The 4-seat vehicle is about the same size as the Honda Civic Hatchback. Honda doesn’t divulge the weight of the new version but previous versions weighed about 3600 lbs verses about 2400 lbs for an equivalent-sized gasoline vehicle. The car, though considered a production model, is not available to the general public. Visit Honda at http://www.hondanews.com/