Meet the FCEV, Honda’s spacey new hydrogen-powered concept

In what seems to be a bid to prove that space-age concepts aren’t just for the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda today unveiled the FCEV at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

While still recognisably a car, the FCEV does look like it would be more at home in a near future sci-fi film than on the roads, but according to the Japanese automotive giant, it’ll form the basis of the Hondas we’ll be driving in the near future.

“The Honda FCEV Concept hints at Honda’s future direction for fuel-cell vehicles,” said Tetsuo Iwamura, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “While this car is a concept, it points toward a very real future.”

According to Honda, we’ll be able to see the FCEV’s influence most clearly in its next hydrogen-fuel cell car, set to launch some time in 2015.

“The Honda FCEV Concept not only sets our direction for our next generation fuel-cell vehicle in 2015, but for future improvements in electric drive technology,” said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co. “The advancements we are making are substantial, meaningful and very real.”

The 100kw five-seater that this concept eventually turns into will apparently deliver a driving range of more than 482 kilometres. Honda also reckons that you’ll be able to refill the vehicle in around three minutes, just as long as you can find a fueling station that is.