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Honda Joins California Fuel Cell Partnership

7 October 1999

Honda Joins California Fuel Cell Partnership

    TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 6 -- Honda has joined the California
Fuel Cell Partnership to help demonstrate the future potential of fuel cell
vehicles, American Honda Motor, Co., Inc., announced today.
    In addition to Honda, the Partnership, which was established in April,
1999, is made up of auto manufacturers DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company and
Volkswagen; energy providers ARCO, Shell and Texaco; fuel cell maker Ballard
Power Systems and the State of California (California Air Resources Board and
the California Energy Commission).
    The Partnership was established to demonstrate the potential of fuel cell
technology, identify issues regarding potential fuels and fueling
infrastructure and to increase public awareness of fuel cell technology.
    Honda has announced plans to make a fuel cell vehicle available by the
year 2003 and is currently developing both hydrogen-fueled and methanol-fueled
prototype models.
    "The fuel cell vehicle has great potential for the next millennium and the
Partnership shares a common goal of seeing that potential become reality,"
said Ben Knight, vice president of Honda Research and Development, Americas,
in making the announcement.  "The Partnership will play a key role in
educating the public on fuel cells and in helping to identify and develop the
infrastructure to support fuel cell vehicles."
    Honda recently introduced the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle to be
sold in the U.S., the Insight, which will go on sale in December.  It will be
the most fuel-efficient car available in the U.S. and has earned EPA
city/highway ratings of 61/70 mpg and will also meet California's Ultra Low
Emission Vehicle standard.  In addition, more than 85 percent of the vehicles
it sells during the 2000 model year will be equipped with advanced low
emission technology.