Honda signed up to a €37 million initiative to develop hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at a meeting coordinated by the Mayor of London last week. Several leading motor manufacturers, hydrogen fuel suppliers and energy consultancies are part of the HyFIVE project (Hydrogen for Innovative Vehicles), which is the largest of its kind in Europe. The aim is to show and improve the technology and infrastructure to make fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) a viable option for European motorists.
Five manufacturers have agreed to deploy 110 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles across several European locations and develop refuelling stations. For Honda it is also an opportunity to show off the progress it has made over nearly two decades of developing the technology. The company's next generation FCEV is due to launch in Europe in early 2016 - following on from the FCX Clarity, which launched in 2008.
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Bert De Colvenaer, Executive Director of the FCH JU (Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking), said: "With a total of 110 FCEVs and six new refuelling stations, HyFIVE will represent the largest single project of its kind financed by the FCH JU. The high level of technology readiness of this zero emission transport technology will be showcased in five European Member States, thus ensuring a broad geographical outreach. In addition, the project will also contribute to the build-up of the first networks at local levels necessary to support the market introduction of the vehicles in the coming years. With the participation of leading automakers and infrastructure providers, HyFIVE illustrates the commitment from leading industrial players in the EU and the spirit of cooperation that I am convinced will enable the success of these technologies."