Honda FCV Previewed at 2015 Tokyo Auto Show

TOKYO – A near-production version of the tentatively named Honda FCV hydrogen fuel-cell sedan will debut at the 2015 Tokyo Auto Show.

“It will go on sale in the U.S. following its Japan launch in March 2016,” wrote Honda spokesman Sage Marie in response to a query from Edmunds on Tuesday. “Nothing more specific at this point.”

He said more details about the all-new FCV, a five-seat sedan that competes with the four-passenger 2016 Toyota Mirai, will be revealed at the Tokyo show. The FCV is the successor to the Honda FCX Clarity.

More details about the U.S. rollout of the FCV will be disclosed at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Honda said the new FCV features a cruising range of more than 435 miles, which exceeds the Mirai’s 312-mile range.

As with the Mirai, heat and water vapor are the only emissions.

Honda also said the FCV can be used as an emergency power source or what it calls a “mobile power plant.” The fuel-cell stack in the FCV can be linked to outside devices and power a home in the case of an emergency.

The design of the FCV is noteworthy, since the entire fuel-cell powertrain fits under the hood of the car, allowing room for more cabin space. The sedan gets a fastback shape, giving it a sleek look.

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are just beginning to become available in the U.S., initially in California. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson fuel-cell vehicle, a midsize crossover SUV, is available now at a limited number of Hyundai dealerships in California on a lease-only basis.

There are just 12 public hydrogen stations in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Edmunds says: Car shoppers interested in zero-emissions vehicles will want to take a closer look at the Honda FCV, keeping in mind that it’s still months away from becoming available here.