Honda Accord Ex 2001 on 2040-cars

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Honda spending $13.8 million on hydrogen infrastructure with FirstElement

Honda is partnering with FirstElement Fuel to increase the number of hydrogen refueling stations in California. The two have signed a letter of intent to provide $13.8 of financial assistance that, with some state money, could let FirstElement build "at least 12 stations." This is the second OEM that FirstElement is working with to install H2 stations in California. It signed a deal worth an unspecified amount with Toyota to help build 19 stations. State officials in California have said they are willing to spend $100 million to $200 million to build 100 hydrogen stations in the next few years. Honda says that FirstElement could build "at least 31" or them thanks to automaker and government investment. At some point after March 2016, when its new fuel cell car will go on sale in Japan, Honda will start selling the production version of the FCEV in the US. Honda hasn't disclosed a price, but the fuel cell stack has a power density of 3.1kW/L and a range of 300 miles, combined with a refueling time of three to five minutes. The vehicle is Honda's next step to its target of a 30-percent reduction (based on 2000 levels) in CO2 emissions by 2020 from its US vehicles. Earlier this year, FirstElement said that it expects hydrogen stations to become profitable in about five years. Honda Supporting Growth of California Hydrogen Network with Financial Support to FirstElement Fuel Nov 19, 2014 - TORRANCE, Calif. Honda contribution of $13.8 million will further expand and accelerate the network of public hydrogen refueling stations Funding could enable FirstElement to add at least 12 stations to its California hydrogen network Seeking to expand California's public hydrogen refueling station network as a means to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles, Honda will provide $13.8 million in financial assistance to FirstElement Fuel to build additional hydrogen refueling stations around the state. Additional state grants, combined with the Honda financing, could enable FirstElement to add at least 12 stations to its California hydrogen network. "FirstElement Fuel is providing a vital piece of what is needed for a successful launch of fuel-cell vehicles," said Steven Center, vice president of Honda's Environmental Business Development Office.

Honda Wander Walker, Stand will roam around, around, around [w/video]

They do things differently in Japan, and we're not just talking about the adorable kei car. No, the concept vehicles that debut at the Tokyo Motor Show are decidedly different than what you might see in Geneva or Detroit. Case in point – the Honda Wander Walker and Wander Stand Concepts, which we previewed late last month. Despite its name, the Wander Walker is quite obviously a four-wheeled scooter that'd look right at home being driven by the elderly IKEA enthusiast in some futuristic metropolis. The front wheels turn to darn near 90 degrees, blessing the Wander Walker with a mere one-meter turning circle. The impressive maneuverability is down to this thing being tiny. Check out the picture if it next to everyone's favorite robot, Asimo, for scale. That makes it a prime mobility solution for the cramped confines of urban Tokyo, a fact that's reinforced by its super-model skinny 21.25-inch width. That size allows the Walker to squeeze through the turnstiles to board Japan's ultra-efficient train network. It's unclear what kind of power is in use here, but it's almost certainly electric. The top speed is a leisurely 3.7 miles per hour. (A quick Wikipedia search reveals humans walk at about 3.1 mph, so yes, this is at least a bit faster than walking.) If the Wander Walker is a futuristic scooter, the Wander Stand looks like a waiting room on wheels. Unlike the Walker, it'll accommodate two adults who can ride side-by-side in a 72.8-inch tall, 49.2-inch wide, and 78.4-inch long box. Like so many futuristic bits of tech, the Wander Stand throws information up on the windshield, which sits atop a futuristic dash. What sets this concept apart from the average kei car, is the Honda Omni Traction Drive System, which allows the usual movement forward and back, but also gives drivers the ability to drive laterally or even diagonally. Again, Japan is a tight place, and this kind of ability grants drivers a lot of leeway in urban driving. We've got a few images direct from Honda available above and below, while you can also look forward to a full array of live images, direct from the floor of the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.

Honda Vezel leaked in Mugen trim

Just last month at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda revealed its new Vezel crossover, a production version of the Urban SUV concept that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show. According to new reports, the model already has a three-month waiting list in Japan alone. But that doesn't mean Honda's tuning division, Mugen, is waiting around to spruce it up.
Pictured here is the Mugen-tuned version of the Vezel leaked from a sales brochure in Japan. While there's not much information to go on, Mugen's take on the Vezel appears to be wearing a custom aero kit, with more pronounced lower bumpers and side sills, a more Acura-like grille treatment and different wheels.
Whether we'll ever get a Mugen package like this when the Fit-based CUV arrives in North America remains to be seen, but we've historically gotten very few of these tuned-up Hondas. In fact, we're still not even sure what the tiny crossover will be called when it arrives here, but something tells us it won't arrive carrying the Vezel moniker.