1999
Honda introduces fuel cell prototype vehicles FCX-V1 (equipped with a fuel cell using pure hydrogen) and the FCX-V2 (fitted with a methanol-fuelled fuel cell).
2000
Honda introduces and demonstrates fuel-cell prototype vehicle FCX-V3 at the California Fuel Cell Partnership in Sacramento, California. The FCX-V3 has an ultra-capacitor and achieves high-efficiency energy management.
2001
FCX begins testing on public roads in Japan; the first solar-powered hydrogen production and fuelling station built and operated by a car company opens in southern California at Honda R&D; fuel-cell prototype vehicle FCX-V4 introduced with a significant increase in range.
2002
" target="_blank">Los Angeles begins a lease programmewith two Honda FCX vehicles, the world's first commercial application of a fuel cell vehicle; Japan begins a lease programme for Honda FCX vehicles; the 2003 model year Honda FCX becomes the first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle to receive certification for commercial use; Japan approves Honda's FCX for limited sale for public roads.
2003
Honda develops breakthrough fuel-cell stack(Honda FC Stack) that starts and operates at temperatures below freezing (down to -20 degrees C) while improving fuel economy, range and performance with reduced complexity and potential for reduced cost; Los Angeles takes delivery of three more FCX vehicles; world's first delivery of a fuel-cell car to a private corporation(FCX to Iwatani Corporation, Japan's leading hydrogen-producing company); Honda showcases fuel-cell technology at the 2003 Challenge Bibendum; Honda begins experiments with hydrogen Home Energy Station and improves solar-cell technology for production of hydrogen.
2004
Japan certifies Honda Fuel Cell Stack FCX for use on public roads; Honda FCX starts road testing using hydrogen generated from the island's hydro-electric power station; experimental operation of second-second generation Home Energy Station; 2005 FCX certified; New York State and San Francisco each take delivery of two Honda FC stack-equipped vehicles.
2005
Lease programme for two FCX vehiclesfor the City of Las Vegas announced; first FCX in private hands; FCX concept debuts at Tokyo auto show.
2006
Honda
" target="_blank">announces marketingof new-fuel cell vehicle in 2008 in Japan and the US; demonstration drive of next-generation FCX Concept in Japan.
2007
UK journalists among first to test the first driveable FCX Concept car on the island of Gotland, Sweden.
2008
FCX Clarity goes into production and on sale in the US. As many as 200 people will begin leasing the fuel-cell vehicles in the US and Japan.