The vision of hydrogen-powered production vehicles could soon become a reality after Honda announced plans to start producing a fuel cell vehicle next year.

The FCX Clarity, unveiled at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, is a zero-emission vehicle based on a brand new fuel cell platform.

Honda claims it has made ‘tremendous improvements’ to the driving range, power, weight and efficiency of fuel cell vehicles, leaving the FCX Clarity with 134bhp and 189lb-ft of torque.

The car is due to be released in limited numbers to retail customers in southern California in the summer.

The current plan is to lease the vehicles for around £290 a month, including maintenance and collision insurance.

Honda has also announced a step forward in the development of technology to refuel hydrogen-powered vehicles.

It has started to use the fourth-generation of its Home Energy Station at its research and development facility in California.

As well as providing fuel, the device is designed to provide heat and electricity for the home, in line with Honda’s vision of producing technology that makes fuel cell vehicles appeal to a wider audience.

Although it is only a prototype, Honda estimates that a home using the Home Energy Station can reduce CO2 emissions from electricity production by 30% and electricity costs by 50%.

Ben Knight, vice-president of Honda R&D Americas, said: “Honda is striving to address the need for a refuelling infrastructure for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

“The Home Energy Station represents one promising solution to this issue, while offering the added benefit of heating and powering the home more efficiently.”