October 22, 2002—Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has unveiled its prototype FCX fuel cell vehicle, planned for commercial release in Japan by the end of this year.

The FCX utilizes a 156.6L, 350-atmosphere high-pressure hydrogen fuel tank to attain a range of 355km. A motor with improved output characteristics in the mid-to-high speed ranges has been combined with Honda’s own independently developed high-performance ultra-capacitor energy storage system, to achieve smooth, powerful acceleration. The FCX features newly designed front and rear bumpers and is 40mm shorter overall than the FCX-V4 fuel cell test vehicle announced in September 2001, while maintaining the same high level of collision safety performance. A newly developed three-gauge instrument cluster presents information on energy management, remaining vehicle range, and vehicle information in an easy-to-understand display.

The FCX prototype vehicle was awarded Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport approval for use on public roads on October 15th. Final adjustments and confirmation of vehicle performance under actual driving conditions are underway in preparation for the vehicle’s commercial release by the end of this year.

Honda has already entered into a basic agreement to lease five FCX vehicles to the City of Los Angeles in the U.S., and also plans to market the FCX in Japan within the year. Marketing of the FCX will initially be under lease arrangement and limited to the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, with lease outlets, rates and conditions to be determined at a later date.