TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY IN JAPAN DEVELOPMENT OF THE FCX FUEL CELL VEHICLE AT HONDA

摘要

The FCX fuel cell system is still relatively large and heavy. Pursuit of continued size and weight reductions are needed for system control devices as well as the fuel cell stack. Numerous technical issues need to be overcome before fuel cell vehicles achieve the space utility and ease-of-use expected in an automobile and attain overall user benefits - including cost - comparable to current internal-combustion engine vehicles. At the same time, the issue of hydrogen fueling infrastructure needs to be considered in tandem with future FCV development. In this light, demonstration projects not only spur further development of FCV but also help identify hydrogen-supply infrastructure issues and provide feedback valuable for the future development of manufacturing, transportation and storage methods. The popularization of FCVs will take time. It is too late, however, to start working on technologies only when they are needed. Continued steady progress will be required before we reach that day, but Honda is committed to pursuing the development of the technologies needed to make it a practical reality.