LA Motor Show: Honda brings mass-volume hydrogen power closer

HONDA has showcased its next generation hydrogen fuel cell technology, which is the first to fit entirely within a traditional engine bay.

A 60% increase in energy density and a 33% reduction in size have jointly allowed the creation of the new Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) concept, which has a range of roughly 300 miles and can be refuelled in about three minutes.

With all its components in a single location, the FCEV benefits from huge freedom in design for the rest of the car. Restricted boot space is a thing of the past and rear passengers can have a normal amount of legroom.

This concept has been designed with outright efficiency in mind, so still wears an ultra-aerodynamic body, but the latest leap forwards in packaging means that almost any design of car could now leave Honda’s factory with a hydrogen drivetrain.

“The Honda FCEV Concept hints at Honda’s future direction for fuel-cell vehicles,” said Tetsuo Iwamura, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co.

“While this car is a concept, it points toward a very real future.”

By Press Association reporter