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Wednesday, 27 November, 2013 4:27 PM
Honda
shows off the FCEV Concept at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Honda
unveiled its FCEV fuel cell electric vehicle concept to the media.
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LOS
ANGELES -- I really enjoyed the Honda press conference
at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. Someone accidentally pulled the
covers off the new FCEV Concept before they were supposed to. It
began with water falling from the ceiling to signify that H2O is
the only byproduct of a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. Then,
a song started playing with the words, "It's a New Beginning,
It's a Brand New Day."
American
Honda Motor Co. President and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura later joked, "Ladies
and Gentlemen, I'm pleased to introduce the official grand
debut of the Honda FCEV Concept." It is going to have a driving
range of 300 miles, a 60 percent improvement from the FCX Clarity
that Honda currently offers.
He added:
"Honda's portfolio approach to environmental vehicles include
a diverse lineup with a growing number of alternative fuel powertrains:
Civic Natural Gas, and advanced electromotive technologies like
the Fit EV battery electric vehicle, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid and
our current fuel cell car, the FCX Clarity. No automaker has more
experience with electromotive technology than Honda. We will continue
to advance each of these technologies. Today, we want
to focus on what we believe is going to become the ultimate solution
for realizing ultra-low carbon mobility and that is the fuel cell
electric vehicle."
Honda will
launch its next generation fuel cell vehicle in 2015 in the United
States, Japan and then in Europe. It will have the ability to be
refueled with hydrogen in just three minutes. The FCEV Concept offers
comfortable seating for five adults.
"With
its futuristic styling and aerodynamic form, I think it's easy to
understand the basic design principles of this Honda FCEV Concept,"
the president and CEO explained. "It points towards the arrival
of the next generation of the Honda fuel cell car. Like the FCX
Clarity, this new fuel call stack is designed to perform in both
extreme hot and cold temperature. We are targeting a significant
reduction in cost. The new more compact Honda fuel-cell stack is
about 33 percent smaller than the stack in the FCX Clarity. We believe
it will be the first mass-produced fuel cell electric vehicle sedan
with a complete powertrain that fits under the hood."
Earlier
this year, Honda announced a collaboration with General Motors to
create the world's first compact and lightweight fuel cell stack
and a more efficient hydrogen storage. Iwamura hopes the two automakers
will complete their goals by 2020.
Mike Accavitti,
Honda's Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations, discussed
the California Fuel Cell Partnership and the H2USA Federal Program.
Both were created to promote the development hydrogen refueling
stations. It will generate a national network of these stations.
"This will take time, but it will come," he said. "What
you see here today is more than a concept car. This Honda FCEV Concept
is a commitment to the future of mobility."
Car
and Driver magazine awarded its 28th 10 Best Award to the 2014
Honda Accord, Accavitti announced.
In 2002,
Honda delivered its first fuel cell vehicle to the city of Los Angeles.
Five years later, Honda introduced the world's first dedicated production
line for fuel cell vehicles. In 2009, the FCX Clarity won the World
Green Car of the Year award. Several owners of the Honda FCX Clarity
fuel cell vehicle were in attendance for the press conference.
General
admission tickets to the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show are $10 for
weekdays and $12 for weekends (Fri.-Sun.). Seniors are $8, children
(ages 6-12) are $6 and free for children ages five and under. Discounted
group tickets are available for groups of 50 or more and can be
purchased by calling (310) 444-1850. The Los Angeles Convention
Center is located at 1201 S. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles. For more
information or to purchase tickets to the Los Angeles Auto Show,
visit www.laautoshow.com.
BONUS
>> EXCLUSIVE:
Win a Pair of Tickets to the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show Public Days!
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Mike
Accavitti, Senior Vice President of Automobile Operations
for American Honda Motor Co.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
He
described the hydrogen refueling process to the media.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
American
Honda Motor Co. President Tetsuo-Iwamura
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PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
He
discussed Honda's previous milestones at the L.A. Auto Show.
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