Honda has announced plans to put a fuel cell vehicle on the road by 2003. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. recently demonstrated the FCX-V1 and FCX-V2 -- two prototypes powered by fuel cells.
Both the FCX-V1 and FCX-V2 feature the Honda EV PLUS body and Honda's highly efficient drive motor and control system, but what's inside the vehicle is much different. The FCX-V1 uses hydrogen fuel stored in a metal hydride tank, and is equipped with a fuel cell stack manufactured by Ballard Power Systems, Inc. The FCX-V2 incorporates a Honda manufactured fuel cell stack, using a Honda-developed reformer for extracting hydrogen from methanol.
Fuel cell technology is the much anticipated next-generation power plant for automobiles, offering the potential for near zero emissions and the use of renewable energy resources.
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| Honda's prototype fuel cell vehicle, FCX-V2, features a Honda manufactured fuel cell stack, using a Honda-developed reformer for extracting hydrogen from methanol. |