Honda's next-gen fuel cell concept will debut in LA, along with more Civic updates

Mon, 11 Nov 2013

Honda is bringing a new concept to the this month's Los Angeles Auto Show called the FCEV Concept. "FCEV" stands for something, and no, it's not "funky chicken earns victory" or other such nonsense - it's short for fuel-cell electric vehicle, a market that Honda has played in, most recently, with its hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity.

The FCEV is nothing more than a styling exercise (click above to enlarge the sketch) for an eventual production fuel-cell vehicle set to hit US and Japanese dealers in 2015 (sorry Europe, you're stuck waiting). It's not heading to LA to tell us anything about the wider application of the technology used in the FCX Clarity, so fans of hydrogen power shouldn't get too excited. Still, the news that Honda is still pondering a wider-spread for its fuel-cell technology is quite exciting.

"The Honda FCEV Concept demonstrates the company's vision for the future of personal mobility and our commitment to developing advanced alternative fuel vehicles. 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," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of American Honda.

Besides the world debut of the FCEV, Honda will also be showing more updates for the 2014 Civic. Following the showing of an enhanced Civic Coupe at SEMA last week, Honda doesn't make it clear if we'll be seeing tweaks for the coupe and sedan or if it will just be a reshowing of the models we saw in Las Vegas. Take a look below for the official press release from Honda, and then check back here on November 20 when we have a full recap of everything that happened on the Honda stand at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show.

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.

Today 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.

Honda Environmental Leadership
In addition to producing the FCX Clarity, Honda has deployed numerous technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, including those incorporated in the Accord Hybrid, Accord Plug-In Sedan, Honda Fit EV and the Civic Natural Gas. Honda has also led the Union of Concerned Scientists' (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and numerous Honda vehicles have been awarded top green accolades from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), appearing on the ACEEE's list of America's greenest vehicles for 16 consecutive years. The FCX Clarity was also named the 2009 World Green Car.

By Brandon Turkus