TORRANCE, California, Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Fresh from its North American debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the zero-emissions Honda FCV Concept will be the highlight of the Honda display at the 2015 Washington Auto Show opening on Jan. 21. Continuing more than a decade of Honda leadership in fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) technology, the Honda FCV Concept showcases the styling evolution of Honda’s next fuel-cell vehicle, anticipated to launch in the U.S. in 2016.

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Additionally, Green Car Journal is honoring the 2015 Honda CR-V as a 2015 Green SUV of the Year award finalist and the 1.5-liter Earth Dreams™ Technology engine featured in the 2015 Honda Fit as a 2015 Green Car Technology Award finalist for the role the technology plays in enabling improved environmental performance in Honda vehicles on the market today.

“Fuel-cell vehicles are a critical pillar for meeting our mid- to long-term carbon cutting goals,” said Robert Bienenfeld, assistant vice president of environment and energy strategy for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “With renewed attention to the development and thoughtful rollout of a fueling infrastructure, it’s a very exciting time for both the technology and the promise it holds.”

As the next progression in Honda’s dynamic FCV styling, the Honda FCV Concept features a low and wide aerodynamic body with clean character lines. The interior strives to achieve harmony between man and machine by taking advantage of new powertrain packaging efficiencies delivering even greater passenger space than the Honda FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle, including seating for up to five people.

The Honda FCV Concept made its world debut in Japan on Nov. 17, 2014, followed by its North American debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show earlier this month.

Honda also recently announced a $13.8 million financial contribution to FirstElement Fuel that will be used to build additional hydrogen refueling stations throughout the state of California in an effort to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles.

Honda Fuel-Cell Vehicle Firsts:

• The original Honda FCX was the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel-cell vehicle in July 2002.
• The FCX was the world’s first production fuel-cell vehicle, introduced to the U.S. and Japan in December 2002.
• The Honda FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures (2003).
• The FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle leased to an individual customer (July 2005).
• The Honda FCX Clarity made Honda the first manufacturer to build and produce a dedicated fuel-cell vehicle on a production line specifically made for fuel-cell vehicles (2008).
• Honda was the first automaker to create a fuel-cell vehicle dealer network (2008).

Green Car Journal Green Car Awards

In addition to the Honda FCV Concept vehicle displayed at the Washington Auto Show, Green Car Journal will honor the 2015 Honda CR-V as one of five finalists for the 2015 Green SUV of the Year award. The 2015 CR-V received the most significant mid-cycle model refresh in its history, with a new direct-injected Earth Dreams™ Technology i-VTEC® engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT), two major contributors to the CR-V’s improvement in fuel efficiency that result in 27/34/29 mpg EPA fuel economy rating¹ (city/highway/combined) for front-wheel-drive models and 26/33/28 mpg rating¹ for Real Time AWD models.

Further, Honda’s 1.5-liter Earth Dreams™ Technology engine will also be honored at the show as a finalist for Green Car Journal’s 2015 Green Car Technology Award. The Honda Earth Dreams™ Technology 1.5-liter engine, featured on the all-new 2015 Fit, is paired with either a new six-speed manual transmission (6MT) or a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and keeps with Honda’s commitment to provide customers with both fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive character at a high level. The new engine contributes to the Fit receiving class-leading (LX) EPA fuel-economy ratings of 29/37/32¹ for manual transmission models, 33/41/36¹ for the LX trim with CVT and 32/38/35¹ for the EX and EX-L trims with the CVT.

The Green Car^™ awards honor important enabling technology helping to create a new generation of fuel-efficient, alternative-fuel, or low-emission vehicles. Technologies considered for the award range from advanced powerplants and drivetrain components to on-board systems that work toward increasing efficiencies, reducing petroleum use or improving environmental impact. Qualifying technologies must be in use by vehicle models currently on the market today. The award winners will be announced during a press conference at the show’s Green Car Awards exhibit on January 22 where both the 2015 Fit and CR-V will be on display until the end of the show’s public days on February 1.

Honda Environmental Leadership

Based on its vision of “Blue Skies for our Children,” Honda is taking a portfolio approach to reducing the environmental impact of its products, advancing fuel efficiency, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance with new powertrain technologies from its Earth Dreams™ Technology lineup, which includes more fuel-efficient engines and transmissions and advanced electromotive technologies. Honda will offer several next-generation, advanced powertrain vehicles, including a new battery-electric model and plug-in hybrid model by 2018 and plans further application of its two- and three-motor hybrid systems in the years to come. Together, these vehicles will offer significant sales volume, enabling Honda to bring ultra-low carbon transportation to consumers in the U.S.

¹Based on 2015 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending driving conditions, how the vehicle is driven and maintained and other factors.