CONTENTS Honda’s Advanced Environmental Measures

Honda is committed to R&D and the early introduction of various environmental technologies in order to share the benefits of new technologies with its customers. In this section, we will introduce the technologies adopted for our products in fiscal 2004; those that are now under research or already applied, and advanced environmental activities that we are promoting in our business operations.

Honda developed a next-generation fuel cell stack, the “Honda FC STACK,” in September 2003. With this high-output but much more compact fuel cell stack, it is possible to start the vehicle at 20 degrees below zero centigrade, which has proved difficult with traditional fluorine-based electrolyte membranes. The Honda FC STACK, after its 2003 approval by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, underwent starting tests at temperatures below zero in Hokkaido as well as driving tests on public roads at low temperatures.
In April 2004, using a Home Energy Station (HES) that had both a hydrogen refueling function and a cogeneration function, we conducted a driving test of a Honda FC STACK-equipped FCX on public roads in the U.S. state of California. In July, the FCX was certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Compared with the Ballard Stack-equipped FCX, the Honda FC STACK-equipped FCX has achieved nearly a 20% improvement in fuel economy (from 48 miles per kg of hydrogen to 57 miles) and in range (from 160 miles to 190 miles). This Honda FC STACK-equipped FCX was introduced in the north-eastern part of the United States, and a total of three FCX vehicles were leased to the State of New York and to the local government of Hokkaido in December 2004 and in January 2005, respectively, where temperatures drop to below zero in the winter.
Also from April 2004, test drives of the Honda FC STACK-equipped FCX on public roads were started in Yakushima, the World Natural Heritage, as part of the Yakushima Zero Emissions Project in which demonstration tests of a self-sufficient energy system were conducted to create a model for a recycling-based society.
Honda is promoting comprehensive research for a future society where fuel cells will be a common form of energy source, by conducting tests on both vehicles and hydrogen refueling systems in cold regions, including the test operations of the Honda FC STACK and the second-generation model of HES II.

In the U.S., Honda introduced the Insight as its first hybrid vehicle in the country in December 1999. Subsequently, in 2002, we applied hybrid technologies to the Civic, one of the best-selling compact cars in the U.S. Then in December 2004, as Honda’s third hybrid vehicle in the U.S. market, we released the Accord Hybrid.
The Accord Hybrid, featuring a V6 engine (i-VTEC) with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) in combination with the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system, has achieved the world’s highest fuel economy for a V6 engine, similar to that of a Honda Civic. Specifically, it achieves a fuel economy rating of 29 mpg* in the city and 37 mpg* on the highway and delivers a high performance with a maximum output of 255 horsepower, with an exceptionally broad and flat torque curve for outstanding power and driving performance. In addition, it provides for quick acceleration performance for overtaking and comfortable cruising.
Compared with the Accord V6 Sedan, the Accord Hybrid has improved fuel economy (by 38% in the city and 23% on the highway) as well as maximum output (by 15 horsepower).
The Insight, Honda’s first hybrid vehicle, has also improved its fuel economy from 35.0 km/L to 36.0 km/L (at 10-15 mode), thereby achieving the world’s highest standard in fuel economy.

Honda started the experimental operation of the HES II, the second-generation model of the Home Energy Station, which has both a hydrogen fueling function and a cogeneration function, jointly with Plug Power of the U.S..
In addition, in the northeastern part of the U.S., we started test drives of the Honda FC STACK-equipped FCX, which enables startup at subzero temperatures, on public roads in September 2004. By testing the vehicle and hydrogen supply system in cold regions, we are promoting comprehensive research for a future society where fuel cells will be used as a common power source.
The HES II is a single-component unit that has been reduced to less than half the size of the original HES in cubic capacity through natural gas reformation and downsizing of the pressure device. The HES II is housed at Plug Power’s headquarters in Latham, New York.

Honda designed a lighter and more compact version of the Honda FC STACK for motorcycles and developed a fuel cell motorcycle equipped with this Honda FC STACK by applying the Honda FC STACK technology (fuel cell system) developed for automobiles.
The Honda FC STACK-equipped motorcycle is based on a 125 cc scooter. For this motorcycle, sufficient body space is secured in the center of the body to install the highly efficient Honda FC STACK next-generation fuel cell, which enables startup at a subzero temperature, by locating the entire EV drive system in the rear-wheel swing arm. Other features are installed around the stack in an efficient manner, thereby maintaining almost the same body size as other motorcycles in the same class.

For further reduction of exhaust emissions and substantial improvement in fuel economy, Honda developed a 50 cc hybrid scooter prototype for market introduction in the near future. The scooter uses both an electric motor and an engine, but has sufficient storage space.
The 50 cc model is equipped with a range of Honda’s existing environmental technologies, including the alternating current generator (ACG) starter with an idle stop function, the electronically controlled fuel injection system (PGM-FI), and an electronically controlled belt converter. In addition, it is equipped with a series/parallel hybrid system adopting a direct rear-wheel drive electric motor, incorporates a nickel-hydrogen battery in the front cowl as a secondary battery, and provides sufficient utility space.
Compared with the DioZ4, we aim to improve the fuel economy of the scooter to at least 1.6 times the current rate (at a constant speed of 30km/h) and reduce CO2 emissions by at least 37%.

Developing an Electric Motor-Powered Commuter Scooter for Urban Use

Alternative Energy

For the Popularization of Natural Gas Vehicles—Introducing Natural Gas Refueling Equipment for Household Use (North America)

Next-Generation General-Purpose Engine iGX 440

Achieving the World’s Highest Standard in Environmental Performance by Adopting the World’s First Technology to Electronically Control Engine Speed

Small Cogeneration Unit for Household Use

To Promote Home Cogeneration Systems throughout the World

Reducing the Use of Substances of Concern

Reducing the Use of Substances of Concern for Domestically Produced Models by the End of 2005

Advanced Office— Honda Wako Building

To Reduce Life Cycle CO2