( AFP ) - Honda will introduce a state-of-the-art hydrogen-powered car in the United States next year, offering a glimpse of the next generation of environmentally friendly vehicles, officials said Wednesday.
Speaking at the LA Auto Show, the Japanese auto giant said they planned to offer the zero-emissions FCX Clarity to customers on a limited long-term lease basis for a cost of around 600 dollars a month.
The expense of fuel cell technology means Honda is still a long way from putting the car into mass production, but its debut represented the "significant progress" in developing the cars for real world use.
"The FCX Clarity is a shining symbol of the progress we've made with fuel cell vehicles and of our belief in the promise of this technology," said American Honda chief executive Tetsuo Iwamura.
"We are working to overcome obstacles to the mass-market potential of zero emissions hydrogen fuel cell automobiles," Iwamura added.
The Clarity's only emission is water, Honda said.
Honda did not reveal the number of cars which will be made available via the lease program or actual cost of each unit.