Honda to Highlight Zero-Emissions FCV Concept in the Nation’s Capital

• Honda FCV Concept, offering a glimpse of the next-generation Honda fuel-cell vehicle, to anchor the Honda booth at the 2015 Washington Auto Show
• Next-generation Honda FCV intends to provide significant gains in packaging, interior space, cost reduction and real-world performance, including an anticipated driving range in excess of 300 miles
• Green Car Journal honors the 2015 CR-V and the 2015 Fit's 1.5-liter Earth Dreams™ Technology engine as finalists for its green technology awards to be announced at the show

Fresh from its North American debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the zero-emissions Honda FCV Concept will be the highlight of the Honda display at the 2015 Washington Auto Show opening on Jan. 21. Continuing more than a decade of Honda leadership in fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) technology, the Honda FCV Concept showcases the styling evolution of Honda's next fuel-cell vehicle, anticipated to launch in the U.S. in 2016.

Additionally, Green Car Journal is honoring the 2015 Honda CR-V as a 2015 Green SUV of the Year award finalist and the 1.5-liter Earth Dreams™ Technology engine featured in the 2015 Honda Fit as a 2015 Green Car Technology Award finalist for the role the technology plays in enabling improved environmental performance in Honda vehicles on the market today.

"Fuel-cell vehicles are a critical pillar for meeting our mid- to long-term carbon cutting goals," said Robert Bienenfeld, assistant vice president of environment and energy strategy for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "With renewed attention to the development and thoughtful rollout of a fueling infrastructure, it's a very exciting time for both the technology and the promise it holds."

As the next progression in Honda's dynamic FCV styling, the Honda FCV Concept features a low and wide aerodynamic body with clean character lines. The interior strives to achieve harmony between man and machine by taking advantage of new powertrain packaging efficiencies delivering even greater passenger space than the Honda FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle, including seating for up to five people.

The Honda FCV Concept made its world debut in Japan on Nov. 17, 2014, followed by its North American debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show earlier this month.

Honda also recently announced a $13.8 million financial contribution to FirstElement Fuel that will be used to build additional hydrogen refueling stations throughout the state of California in an effort to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles.

Honda Fuel-Cell Vehicle Firsts:

• The original Honda FCX was the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel-cell vehicle in July 2002.
• The FCX was the world's first production fuel-cell vehicle, introduced to the U.S. and Japan in December 2002.
• The Honda FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures (2003).
• The FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle leased to an individual customer (July 2005).
• The Honda FCX Clarity made Honda the first manufacturer to build and produce a dedicated fuel-cell vehicle on a production line specifically made for fuel-cell vehicles (2008).
• Honda was the first automaker to create a fuel-cell vehicle dealer network (2008).

Green Car Journal Green Car Awards
In addition to the Honda FCV Concept vehicle displayed at the Washington Auto Show, Green Car Journal will honor the 2015 Honda CR-V as one of five finalists for the 2015 Green SUV of the Year award. The 2015 CR-V received the most significant mid-cycle model refresh in its history, with a new direct-injected Earth Dreams™ Technology i-VTEC® engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT), two major contributors to the CR-V's improvement in fuel efficiency that result in 27/34/29 mpg EPA fuel economy rating1 (city/highway/combined) for front-wheel-drive models and 26/33/28 mpg rating1 for Real Time AWD models.

Further, Honda's 1.5-liter Earth Dreams™ Technology engine will also be honored at the show as a finalist for Green Car Journal's 2015 Green Car Technology Award. The Honda Earth Dreams™ Technology 1.5-liter engine, featured on the all-new 2015 Fit, is paired with either a new six-speed manual transmission (6MT) or a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and keeps with Honda's commitment to provide customers with both fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive character at a high level. The new engine contributes to the Fit receiving class-leading (LX) EPA fuel-economy ratings of 29/37/321 for manual transmission models, 33/41/361 for the LX trim with CVT and 32/38/351 for the EX and EX-L trims with the CVT.

The Green Car™ awards honor important enabling technology helping to create a new generation of fuel-efficient, alternative-fuel, or low-emission vehicles. Technologies considered for the award range from advanced powerplants and drivetrain components to on-board systems that work toward increasing efficiencies, reducing petroleum use or improving environmental impact. Qualifying technologies must be in use by vehicle models currently on the market today. The award winners will be announced during a press conference at the show's Green Car Awards exhibit on January 22 where both the 2015 Fit and CR-V will be on display until the end of the show's public days on February 1.

Honda FCEV Concept to Make World Debut at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show

• Honda FCEV Concept sketch hints at futuristic and aerodynamic design of next-generation fuel-cell electric vehicle launching in 2015
• Honda also will announce further upgrades to the 2014 Civic, the best-selling compact car in the U.S.  

Honda Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicle Concept

A sketch was released of the Honda FCEV Concept in advance of its debut at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 20. The concept model expresses a potential styling direction for Honda's next-generation fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) launching in the U.S and Japan in 2015 and later in Europe.

 "The Honda FCEV Concept demonstrates the company's vision for the future of personal mobility and our commitment to developing advanced alternative fuel vehicles," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "As we work toward the introduction of our next-generation fuel-cell vehicle in 2015, our long-term experience with fuel-cell technologies will help us pave a way towards a zero-emissions future."

Honda has led the industry in the development and deployment of fuel-cell electric vehicles. In 2002, Honda was the first automaker to begin a retail initiative with the leasing of its fuel-cell electric vehicles to fleet customers. Honda also was the first automaker to put a fuel-cell electric vehicle in the hands of an individual retail consumer in 2005. Today, about two dozen customers are driving the FCX Clarity – enjoying the benefits of driving this advanced technology vehicle, while also contributing valuable experience, helping Honda to advance fuel-cell technology for the future.

Further details about the Honda FCEV Concept and the enhanced 2014 Civic, America's best-selling compact car, will be revealed on Nov. 20 at 1:35 p.m. PST at the Los Angeles Auto Show. For photos showing the styling direction of the Honda FCEV Concept, please visit www.hondanews.com.