Honda predicted yesterday that one of its hydrogen-powered fuel-cell cars could hit the road in California by the end of the year. The forecast came after the auto manufacturer’s FCX became the first fuel-cell car to be certified by the U.S. EPA and the California Air Resources Board as a low-emissions vehicle. Honda hopes to have 30 of the four-seaters operating in California and Tokyo within three years. One drawback of the car: It can travel only 220 miles before refueling, and hydrogen pumping stations are extremely rare. Therefore, the first drivers of the vehicles will likely be the lucky few with access to such stations — employees of municipalities and government agencies.
