Honda fuel cell works even in extreme cold

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THE WASHINGTON TIMES

The 2006 Honda FCX advanced-production fuel-cell vehicle is becoming more practical with the announcement that the fuel stack that debuted in 2005 has been improved.

The FCX is capable of starting and operating at temperatures as low as -20C (-4F) with improved performance, range and reduced build complexity.

For the first time on a fuel-cell-powered vehicle, Honda has installed a navigation system that is capable of providing directions and information on currently available hydrogen refueling stations.

Given that Honda recently delivered a vehicle to a retail customer, this marks the first navigation system capable of guiding a retail customer to use California's "Hydrogen Highway."

Honda developed the FC Stack that made its debut in 2005 with a metal separator structure that is easier to manufacture and reduces the number of necessary components by 50 percent, with the aim of increasing stack longevity and reducing manufacturing costs.

Power output for 2006 has reached 107 horsepower and 201 foot-pounds of torque.

The hydrogen-powered Hon-da FCX is the only fuel-cell vehicle certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and U.S. EPA for everyday commercial use. CARB has also certified the FCX as a zero emission vehicle (ZEV), and as a US EPA Tier-2 Bin-1, national low emission vehicle (NLEV) with a range of 190 miles and seating for four persons.