American Honda Leases 2005 Honda FCX Fuel Cell Vehicles to New York State

New York is First Customer for 2005 FCX With Breakthrough Honda FC Stack

ALBANY, N.Y., Nov. 16 -- American Honda today announced the lease of two 2005 Honda FCX fuel cell vehicles to the state of New York, the first state customer for Honda fuel cell technology and the first customer for a fuel cell vehicle in the Northeastern U.S. The 2005 FCX is powered by Honda's originally developed fuel cell stack (Honda FC Stack) with the breakthrough ability to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures, making it possible to place the car in New York state for year-round operation. The announcement was made in ceremonies held today in the state capitol of Albany with New York Governor George Pataki and American Honda president Koichi Kondo.

"I would like to commend the Governor and the people of New York for their vision and for taking this bold step toward a more sustainable energy future, and also thank them for becoming a customer for Honda fuel cell technology," said Koichi Kondo, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "This is a great day for Honda and the State of New York."

"New York is pleased to partner with Honda to lease these innovative fuel cell vehicles, which utilize emerging technology to significantly reduce energy use, clean our air and help break our dependence on oil," said New York Governor George E. Pataki. "Fuel cells have the potential to revolutionize the transportation and energy industries and we are proud that the State will play a major role in helping to develop the next generation of clean, energy efficient vehicles for commercial use. Our commitment to developing a hydrogen economy and our leadership in promoting the use of clean energy technologies are helping to create new jobs and industries right here in New York. Our efforts will ensure that our businesses and residents continue to reap the economic and environmental benefits of this emerging world market."

The State will lease two hydrogen-powered 2005 FCX fuel cell vehicles for a period of two years with delivery of the first vehicle scheduled to take place in December, followed by the second vehicle in mid-2005.

In addition to its sub freezing operation qualities, the 2005 FCX has increased range and performance and a 50-percent reduction in the number of component parts. With the adoption of a new structure featuring stamped metal separators, the Honda FC Stack contains only half the components of earlier prototype units while delivering an almost 20 percent increase in range and fuel efficiency and a 33 percent increase in peak power output. Use of newly developed aromatic electrolyte membranes greatly improves durability and allows for power generation at temperatures ranging from -4 degrees F to +203 degrees F.

The Honda FCX converts compressed gaseous hydrogen into electricity for motive power with water as its only emission. The 2005 FCX has a range of up to 190 miles and seating for four people, making it practical for a wide range of real-world applications. The Honda FCX is the world's most advanced fuel cell vehicle and the first and only fuel cell car to be certified by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) for regular daily use.

The State of New York is the fifth U.S. customer for the FCX and the first state FCX customer. With the addition of the two New York vehicles, Honda will have twelve fuel cell vehicles in regular daily use with customers in California and New York. The City of Los Angeles became Honda's first fuel cell customer in December 2002 with the lease of five FCX hydrogen-powered fuel cell cars. In March 2004, the City of San Francisco took delivery of two leased vehicles followed by the delivery of two vehicles to California's South Coast Air Quality Management District in August and one vehicle to the City of Chula Vista on November 10.

The Honda FCX was developed as part of Honda's ongoing development and real-world application of advanced fuel cell technologies, in pursuit of critical environmental goals including improved energy efficiency, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, improved recycleability and use of alternative fuels with potential for energy sustainability. Honda undertook fuel cell research in the early 1980s and has been driving on public roads in the United States since 2000.

Honda also leads the automobile industry in the development of cleaner and more efficient gasoline-powered vehicles including gas-electric hybrid technology. This includes the introduction of America's first hybrid vehicle, the Honda Insight, in December 1999, and the first truly mainstream hybrid vehicle, the Civic Hybrid, in March 2002. This December, Honda will put its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology in its best-selling Accord Sedan, boasting V6 performance with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder, compact class, Civic.

For more information or downloadable high-resolution images of the Honda FCX and other Honda vehicles, please visit www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at www.hondacars.com.

                  Honda Fuel Cell Technology Milestones

   2004

   *  2005 FCX, Honda's second generation FCV, is certified by CARB as a
      Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and by the EPA as a Tier-2 Bin 1 (ZEV).
   *  The City of Chula Vista takes delivery of one FCX vehicle.
   *  South Coast Air Quality Management District takes delivery of two FCX
      vehicles.
   *  The City of San Francisco takes delivery of two FCX vehicles.
   *  Honda FC Stack is publicly demonstrated in Japan in below freezing
      conditions.

   2003

   *  Honda develops breakthrough fuel cell stack (Honda FC Stack) that
      starts and operates at temperatures below freezing while improving
      fuel economy, range and performance with reduced complexity and
      potential for reduced cost.
   *  The city of Los Angeles takes delivery of three more FCX vehicles.
   *  Honda showcases fuel cell technology at 2003 Challenge Bibendum.
   *  Honda begins experiments with hydrogen Home Energy Station (HES) and
      improves solar cell technology for production of hydrogen.

   2002

   *  The 2003 model year Honda FCX becomes the first and only hydrogen-
      powered fuel cell vehicle to receive both EPA and CARB certification
      for commercial use.
   *  The City of Los Angeles begins a lease program with two Honda FCX
      vehicles, the world's first commercial application of a fuel cell
      vehicle.

   2001

   *  The first solar powered hydrogen production and fueling station built
      and operated by an auto company opens in Southern California at Honda
      R&D Americas headquarters in Torrance, California, as part of Honda's
      fuel cell technology and infrastructure development efforts.
   *  Fuel cell prototype vehicle FCX-V4 is introduced.

   2000

   *  Honda introduces and demonstrates fuel cell prototype vehicle FCX-V3
      at the California Fuel Cell Partnership in Sacramento, California.

   1999

   *  Honda Introduces fuel cell prototype vehicles FCX-V1 and FCX-V2.

                      2005 Honda FCX Specifications

  Name                                  Honda FCX with Honda FC Stack
  Number of occupants                   4
  Max. Speed                            93 mph

  Motor               Max. Output       80kW (107 hp)
                      Max. Drive        272N * m (201 lb-ft)
                      Type              AC synchronous electric motor
                                        (manufactured by Honda)

  Fuel cell stack     Type              Honda Fuel Cell Stack
                                        PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane
                                        fuel cell)
                      Output            86 kW

  Fuel                Type              Compressed hydrogen gas
                      Storage           High-pressure hydrogen tank
                                        (5000 psi)
                      Capacity          3.75 kilograms hydrogen

  Dimensions
   (L x W x H, mm)                      4165 x 1760 x 1645

  Energy storage                        Ultra capacitor
                                        (manufactured by Honda)

  Vehicle range
   (EPA rated)                          190 miles