Honda will present a new concept car at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show that will be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Called the FCEV, the new concept is said to preview the potential styling of a successor to the FCX Clarity, which is scheduled for launch in 2015, the same year close rival Toyota plans to launch its own fuel cell vehicle.
Apart from this stylized teaser image, no other details on the FCEV have been released. The teaser shows a futuristic design that builds on themes expressed by Honda’s new Exciting H Design!!! styling language. We can also see some similarities between the FCEV and the FCX Clarity, such as indented shoulder line and coupe-like profile.
As mentioned, the FCEV previews the potential styling for Honda’s next-generation fuel cell vehicle, which means the design is likely to change considerably for production. For now, it has a somewhat sleek and sporty look that we hope is retained on the production model.
Honda has been an industry leader in the development fuel cell vehicles. In 2002, it was the first automaker to begin a retail initiative with the leasing of fuel cell vehicles to fleet customers. By 2005, it was leasing them to individual customers. Today, there are still roughly two dozen customers driving the FCX Clarity.
It’s not clear if Honda will continue to lease its new fuel cell vehicle, but Toyota has already confirmed it’s willing to sell its own fuel cell vehicle, which is estimated to cost around $50,000.
Stay tuned for the reveal of the Honda FCEV at next week’s L.A. Auto Show. We’ll also get full details on the 2014 Honda Civic Coupe at the show, and much, much more. Stay up-to-date on all the news by bookmarking our dedicated hub.
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