Early last month The City of Los Angeles took delivery of the nation’s first certified fuel cell car, the Honda FCX. The Honda FCX will be used in normal, everyday use.

The hydrogen-powered Honda FCX is the only fuel cell vehicle certified by the California Air Resources Board and the federal Environmental Protection Agency for every-day commercial use as a Zero Emission Vehicle.

Under the two-year lease agreement, the City of LA will pay $500 a month to lease the first of five Honda FCX models with the other four vehicles coming in 2003.

“Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles hold great promise for future clean air vehicles and it is important that LA play a leading role in assisting in the development and early use of this technology,” Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn said.

Honda plans to lease about 30 fuel cell cars in California and Japan during the next two to three years. The company currently has no plans, however, for mass-market sales of fuel cell vehicles to individuals.

With an output of up to 80 horsepower and 201 foot-pounds of torque, acceleration is similar to a Honda Civic. Water vapor is the only exhaust. The FCX has an EPA-certified range of 170 miles and seating for four people.