Product News

Honda Develops Fuel Cell that Operates at Below-Freezing Temperatures

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has developed the Honda FC Stack, a compact next-generation fuel cell stack that delivers higher performance with increased range and fuel efficiency, and is designed to operate at temperatures as low as –20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). Honda will soon begin public road evaluation of the vehicle's cold start and driving performance capabilities to advance more widespread use of fuel cell vehicles.

This is world's first fuel stack to feature a stamped metal separator structure combined with newly developed electrolyte membranes for improved efficiency, recycleability, and operation over a greater range of temperatures. With the new fuel cell, the driving range of Honda’s FCX has increased by 20 miles to more than 180 miles. Fuel economy is also improved by over 10 percent compared to the current model FCX.

The FCX earned certification from the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in July 2002. In December 2002, the city of Los Angeles took delivery of the first of five FCX vehicles being leased by the city for regular daily use as part of its alternative fuel vehicle fleet. In September 2003, San Francisco joined Los Angeles in committing to the delivery of two vehicles by year-end. For more information, visit www.hondanews.com.

To send product news, click here.