ALBANY, NY, U.S.A., November 16, 2004 - American Honda today announced the lease of two 2005 Honda FCX fuel cell vehicles to the state of New York, the first state customer for Honda fuel cell technology and the first customer for a fuel cell vehicle in the Northeastern U.S.  The 2005 FCX is powered by Honda’s originally developed fuel cell stack (Honda FC Stack) with the breakthrough ability to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures, making it possible to place the car in New York state for year-round operation.  The announcement was made in ceremonies held today in the state capitol of Albany with New York Governor George Pataki and American Honda president Koichi Kondo.

“I would like to commend the Governor and the people of New York for their vision and for taking this bold step toward a more sustainable energy future, and also thank them for becoming a customer for Honda fuel cell technology,” said Koichi Kondo, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “This is a great day for Honda and the State of New York.”

“New York is pleased to partner with Honda to lease these innovative fuel cell vehicles, which utilize emerging technology to significantly reduce energy use, clean our air and help break our dependence on oil,” said New York Governor George E. Pataki .  “Fuel cells have the potential to revolutionize the transportation and energy industries and we are proud that the State will play a major role in helping to develop the next generation of clean, energy efficient vehicles for commercial use. Our commitment to developing a hydrogen economy and our leadership in promoting the use of clean energy technologies are helping to create new jobs and industries right here in New York. Our efforts will ensure that our businesses and residents continue to reap the economic and environmental benefits of this emerging world market”.

The State will lease two hydrogen-powered 2005 FCX fuel cell vehicles for a period of two years with delivery of the first vehicle scheduled to take place in December, followed by the second vehicle in mid-2005.

In addition to its sub freezing operation qualities, the 2005 FCX has increased range and performance and a 50-percent reduction in the number of component parts. With the adoption of a new structure featuring stamped metal separators, the Honda FC Stack contains only half the components of earlier prototype units while delivering an almost 20 percent increase in range and fuel efficiency and a 33 percent increase in peak power output.
Use of newly developed aromatic electrolyte membranes greatly improves durability and allows for power generation at temperatures ranging from -4ºF to +203 ºF.

The Honda FCX converts compressed gaseous hydrogen into electricity for motive power with water as its only emission.  The 2005 FCX has a range of up to 190 miles and seating for four people, making it practical for a wide range of real-world applications. The Honda FCX is the world’s most advanced fuel cell vehicle and the first and only fuel cell car to be certified by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) for regular daily use.

The State of New York is the fifth U.S. customer for the FCX and the first state FCX customer. With the addition of the two New York vehicles, Honda will have twelve fuel cell vehicles in regular daily use with customers in California and New York. The City of Los Angeles became Honda’s first fuel cell customer in December 2002 with the lease of five FCX hydrogen-powered fuel cell cars.  In March 2004, the City of San Francisco took delivery of two leased vehicles followed by the delivery of two vehicles to California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District in August and one vehicle to the City of Chula Vista on November 10.

The Honda FCX was developed as part of Honda’s ongoing development and real-world application of advanced fuel cell technologies, in pursuit of critical environmental goals including improved energy efficiency, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, improved recycleability and use of alternative fuels with potential for energy sustainability. Honda undertook fuel cell research in the early 1980s and has been driving on public roads in the United States since 2000.

Honda also leads the automobile industry in the development of cleaner and more efficient gasoline-powered vehicles including gas-electric hybrid technology.  This includes the introduction of America’s first hybrid vehicle, the Honda Insight, in December 1999, and the first truly mainstream hybrid vehicle, the Civic Hybrid, in March 2002.  This December, Honda will put its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology in its best-selling Accord Sedan, boasting V6 performance with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder, compact class, Civic.