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Automobile October
22 , 2002 |
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| Honda Unveils the Prototype of its FCX Fuel Cell Vehicle, Planned for Commercial Release This Year |
Tokyo, October 22, 2002 --- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has
unveiled its prototype FCX fuel cell vehicle, planned for commercial release in
Japan by the end of this year.
The FCX utilizes a 156.6L, 350-atmosphere high-pressure hydrogen fuel tank to
attain a range of 355km. A motor with improved output characteristics in the mid-to-high
speed ranges has been combined with Honda's own independently developed high-performance
ultra-capacitor energy storage system, to achieve smooth, powerful acceleration.
The FCX features newly designed front and rear bumpers and is 40mm shorter overall
than the FCX-V4 fuel cell test vehicle announced in September 2001, while maintaining
the same high level of collision safety performance. A newly developed three-gauge
instrument cluster presents information on energy management, remaining vehicle
range, and vehicle information, in an easy-to-understand display.
The FCX prototype vehicle was awarded Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure
and Transport approval for use on public roads on October 15th. Final adjustments
and confirmation of vehicle performance under actual driving conditions are underway,
in preparation for the vehicle's commercial release by the end of this year.
Honda has already entered into a basic agreement to lease five FCX vehicles to
the City of Los Angeles in the U.S., and also plans to market the FCX in Japan
within the year. Marketing of the FCX will initially be under lease arrangement
and limited to the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, with lease outlets, rates and conditions
to be determined at a later date.
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| Prototype FCX fuel cell vehicle |
Specifications of FCX prototype for Japanese market
| Number of occupants |
4 |
| Maximum speed |
150km/h |
| Motor |
Max. output |
60kW (82PS) |
| Max. drive torque |
272N·m |
| Type |
AC synchronous electric motor
(manufactured by Honda) |
| Fuel cell stack |
Type |
PEFC
(polymer electrolyte fuel cell, manufactured by Ballard) |
| Output |
78kW |
| Fuel |
Type |
Compressed hydrogen gas |
| Storage |
High-pressure hydrogen tank
(350 atmospheres) |
| Capacity |
156.6L |
| Dimensions (L x W x H, mm) |
4,165 x 1,760 x 1,645 |
| Energy storage |
Ultra-capacitor (manufactured by Honda) |
| Vehicle range |
355km |
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