Cars that run on hydrogen and exhaust only water vapor are emerging to challenge electric vehicles as the world's transportation of the future.

At the Los Angeles Auto Show Wednesday, Honda and Hyundai automakers unveiled hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to be delivered to the general public as early as next spring.

Toyota promised a mass-produced fuel cell car by 2015 at the Tokyo car show earlier.

Hyundai Motor Co. will be the first to the mass market in the U.S. It unveiled a hydrogen-powered Tucson small SUV that will be leased to consumers for $499 per month for three years with $3,000 down.

Hydrogen cars are appealing because unlike electric vehicles, they have the range of a typical gasoline car and can be refueled quickly. Experts say the industry also has overcome safety and reliability concerns that have hindered distribution in the past.

But hydrogen cars still have a glaring downside � refueling stations are scarce, and costly to build.

Consumers can expect costs in line with some luxury models.

Hyundai is offering to pay the hydrogen and maintenance costs. The company will start leasing in the Los Angeles area, where most of the state's nine fueling stations are located. California lawmakers have allocated $100 million to build 100 more. Honda wouldn't reveal any pricing details.

Hydrogen cars, experts say, have an advantage over battery-powered electric cars because drivers don't have to worry about running out of electricity and having to wait hours for recharging.

Hydrogen fuel cells use a complex chemical process to separate electrons and protons in hydrogen gas molecules. The electrons power a car's electric motor, which turns the wheels.

Since the hydrogen isn't burned, there's no pollution. Instead, oxygen also is pumped into the system, and when it meets the hydrogen ions and electrons, that creates water and heat. The only byproduct is water.

A fuel cell produces only about one volt of electricity, so many are stacked to generate enough juice.

Toyota said its new fuel cell vehicle will go on sale in Japan in 2015 and within a year later in Europe and U.S.

Toyota's fuel cell car is a "concept" model called FCV that looks like a sleeker Prius gas-electric hybrid.

Honda, which has leased about two-dozen fuel cell cars since 2005, took the wraps off a futuristic-looking FCEV concept vehicle in Los Angeles.

Honda executives predict that it will take five years for the hydrogen refueling stations to reach significant numbers outside California, and up to 25 years to go nationwide.

But skeptics say hydrogen fueling stations are more expensive than electric car charging stations, partly because electricity is almost everywhere and new and safe ways for producing, storing and transferring

hydrogen will be needed.

AP TELEVISION

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Los Angeles, California

1. Wide, convention floor at Los Angeles Auto Show

2. Wide, pan across cars covered with fabric waiting to be revealed

3. Wide, Chevrolet logo advertising new "Colorado" mid-size pickup truck

4. Medium, smoke and colored lights around new Subaru WRX, silky fabric slides off to unveil new car model in cherry red

5. Medium low, man peers in driver's side door of Subaru WRX

6. Wide, Honda stage with water and lights and concept car under wraps

7. Medium, screen above stage reads reads "Honda FCEV Concept"

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tetsuo Iwamura, President and CEO, American Honda Motor Co.

"Today we want to focus on what we believe has the potential to become the ultimate solution to realizing ultra-low carbon mobility. And that is the fuel cell electric vehicle."

9. Wide, Iwamura speaks on stage in front of veiled concept car

10. Tight, rear bumper of concept car as Iwarmura walks in front

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Tetsuo Iwamura, President and CEO, American Honda Motor Co."The Honda FCEV concept!" (wide, fabric is whisked off car and music swells)

12. Wide, Honda sign on convention floor

13. Medium, woman tries to open door on concept car

14. Medium, man takes photo of car with cell phone

15. Tight, rear license plate pan up to Honda logo on rear bumper

16. SOUNDBITE (English) John O'Dell, Edmunds.com green vehicle analyst "Hydrogen fuel cells basically mix hydrogen and oxygen together, separate out the electrons and produce the electricity on board. In actuality, a hydrogen fuel cell car is an electric vehicle."

17. Tight, front of Honda concept car, zoom out to entire car

18. Tight, Honda insignia on front of car

19. Medium, photographer takes photo of car 20. SOUNDBITE (English) John O'Dell, Edmunds.com green vehicle analyst "The way Hyundai for instance tests its fuel cell tank? They light the car on fire. They've burnt up entire fuel cell vehicles to see what happens.

The pressure vent on the tank releases, the hydrogen goes up in a fan shape, it burns like a butane lighter, straight up in the air. And it dissipates in a couple of minutes."

21. Tight, curves on concept car, zoom out to entire car

22. Tight, Iwamura speaks to Japanese reporters

23. Medium pan, concept car

24. SOUNDBITE (English) John O'Dell, Edmunds.com green vehicle analyst "It's a more compact package and it's lighter than a big battery pack that you need for a plug-in electric vehicle."

25. Wide, audience waiting for Hyundai press conference

26. Medium, people at Hyundai presser

27. Wide, Hyundai Tucson ix35 hydrogen fuel cell compact SUV spinning slowly

28. Tight, Hyundai fuel cell vehicle spinning 29. Wide, Hyundai stage

30. SOUNDBITE (English) John Krafcik, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America "You've got driving range of up to 300 miles. You can refuel them in just a few minutes. And there's endless choice in size and configuration.

That's because it's more space- and weight-efficient to multiply the number of fuel cells than it is to multiply the number of batteries."

31. Wide, Krafcik on stage

32. Medium, Hyundai Tucson compact SUV

33. Wide, Toyota display at convention

34. Tight, Toyota sign

35. Tight zoom out to medium, worker polishing Dodge Challenger anniversary edition

36. Medium, model in white dress and boots with Dodge Challenger

LEADIN:

The future is already here, that's the message at the Geneva International Motor Show as car makers debut futuristic creations.

Experts say as the industry moves towards digitised, battery-powered, self-driving technology, once wacky concept creations are now becoming a reality.

STORYLINE:

Could this be a vision of our future.

This is the QUANT 48VOLT, a high performance electric design by Zurich research and development centre nanoFlowcell.

But unlike many of the cars on the Geneva Motor Show floor, this is not headed for the production lines, it's instead a demonstration vehicle for how electric flowcell technology might change motoring.

Quant is equipped with a 48 V Low-Voltage Flow Cell Drive which delivers 300 kilometres per hour and zero to 100 kilometres in 2.4 seconds.

The flowcell technology promises a range of over 1,000 kilometres on a single charge, working on a low battery voltage of 48 volts.

Ralf Kaiser from nanoFlowcell says they created the QUANT to provide "perspective" on how electric power can change mobility.

"When I see many manufacturers, they do not have a perspective on electric mobility. You have individual business cases, like Tesla, but you do not have a future concept for electric mobility," he says.

"You have a lot of alibi cars because no-one wants to have fingers pointed at them; 'Oh, you don't have any electric car,' But if you ask for a long-term strategy there is none because the current technology doesn't provide a perspective. And this is why we are here."

Across the show floor, Toyota Europe are showcasing this EV vehicle, but the focus is not what's under the hood, but over it.

The i-TRIL is intended as a viable alternative to passenger cars, public transport or motorcycles for short, inner city journeys.

The idea is it can be used for short, city-centre commutes or perhaps picking up the kids from school.

But not too many kids, the i-TRIL boasts just two passenger seats, plus the front driving position.

"The future will be all about variety, you know. People driving SUVs, some others will use public transportation, but more and more we don't believe that one car can fit all your needs," says Pierre Romeo from Toyota Europe.

"So, in the future maybe you will try to rent this car or buy this car and rent the SUV or rent something else."

Japanese auto manufacturer Nissan is showing its vision of the future through an array of futuristic-looking vehicles, including this three-seater BladeGlider.

Nissan unveiled a working prototype of its futuristic vehicle, which combines zero-emissions, high-performance and sports car design.

A wild version of the design appeared back in 2013, but with advancing technologies, Nissan has now produced this working version.

Performance is central, promising 190 kilometres per hour and 0-100 kilometres in less than five seconds.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says they created the 'Glider' to prove electric cars aren't all reserved-looking cars.

"The BladeGlider is in fact a symbol of performance and electric cars," he says.

"A lot of people have an image of an electric as being good cars, but more stable, slow. Well, it's not the case. Electric cars are performance cars, they can be performance cars.

"So, here we have a completely new design, we have huge torque, we have a lot of performance, that's why for us it's a symbol of innovation and performance, with zero emissions."

While much of the industry heads towards battery power, Hyundai is exploring the possibilities in hydrogen fuel cell technology.

This FE Fuel Concept looks ahead to what the company's next generation of fuel cell vehicles might look like.

The name, 'FE', stands for 'Future Eco', reflecting the new technologies and eco-friendly outlook.

It can share that green theme too - the FE Concept is fitted with portable battery packs which are charged by the car's energy output and can be used to power other passenger vehicles.

Robin Hayles admits fuel cell tech is very much a new technology for many drivers.

He hopes this futuristic yet practical design may encourage others to explore it.

"The tricky thing with any kind of new technology, which fuel cell technology still is, is trying to find that balance between a desirable, futuristic-looking car, but at the same time not turning people away from it because it looks too futuristic," he says.

"Hopefully we've got there with this type of design. Yes, it's futuristic, but still able to deal with the demands of today's world."

While many car makers look five to ten years into the future with their concepts, French auto manufacturer Citroen is perhaps looking a little closer.

This C-Aircross concept is a bold and colourful preview of how the company plans to make its offensive on the booming SUV market.

It's not likely drivers will be going off road too often, instead it's about style, space and design.

Jim Holder, the editorial director of UK-based automotive magazine 'Autocar' says as the industry approaches once futuristic themes, such as digitisation and electric power, those concepts are becoming ever more realistic creations.

"I think it's the themes of autonomy and digitalisation and electrification that are showing through most in the concept cars," he says.

"Whatever a concept car is, it has to carry those themes because we know they're coming to market. They'll be on sale now within about five years.

"So, all the manufacturers are trying to show they're on top of that technology and that they do have a vision for how it can work its way into our lives."

The Geneva Motor Show opens to the public on 9 March and runs through March 19.

In total 900 models are shown by 180 exhibitors, including 148 world and European premiers, according to organisers.

Geneva, Switzerland - 6 March 2017

1. Various of nanoFlowcell QUANT 48VOLT on display at the Geneva Motor Show

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Ralf Kaiser, nanoFlowcell:

"When I see many manufacturers, they do not have a perspective on electric mobility. You have individual business cases, like Tesla, but you do not have a future concept for electric mobility. You have a lot of alibi cars because no-one wants to have fingers pointed at them; 'Oh, you don't have any electric car,' But if you ask for a long-term strategy there is none because the current technology doesn't provide a perspective. And this is why we are here."

3. Low shot of nanoFlowcell QUANT 48VOLT

4. Various of Toyota i-TRIL concept car

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Pierre Romeo, i-TRIL Chief Designer, Toyota Europe:

"The future will be all about variety, you know. People driving SUVs, some others will use public transportation, but more and more we don't believe that one car can fit all your needs. So, in the future maybe you will try to rent this car or buy this car and rent the SUV or rent something else."

6. Various of Nissan BladeGlider

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan:

"The BladeGlider is in fact a symbol of performance and electric cars. A lot of people have an image of an electric as being good cars, but more stable, slow. Well, it's not the case. Electric cars are performance cars, they can be performance cars. So, here we have a completely new design, we have huge torque, we have a lot of performance, that's why for us it's a symbol of innovation and performance, with zero emissions."

7. Various of Hyundai FE Fuel Cell Concept

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Robin Hayles, Hyundai:

"The tricky thing with any kind of new technology, which fuel cell technology still is, is trying to find that balance between a desirable, futuristic-looking car, but at the same time not turning people away from it because it looks too futuristic. Hopefully we've got there with this type of design. Yes, it's futuristic, but still able to deal with the demands of today's world."

9. Various of Citroen C-Aircross Concept

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jim Holder, Editorial Director, 'Autocar' Magazine:

"I think it's the themes of autonomy and digitalization and electrification that are showing through most in the concept cars. Whatever a concept car is, it has to carry those themes because we know they're coming to market. They'll be on sale now within about five years. So, all the manufacturers are trying to show they're on top of that technology and that they do have a vision for how it can work its way into our lives."

11. Various of Quattroruote Scylla concept car

12. Various wide high shots of Geneva Motor Show floor

LEADIN:

The future is already here, that's the message at the Geneva International Motor Show as car makers debut futuristic creations.

Experts say as the industry moves towards digitised, battery-powered, self-driving technology, once wacky concept creations are now becoming a reality.

STORYLINE:

Could this be a vision of our future.

This is the QUANT 48VOLT, a high performance electric design by Zurich research and development centre nanoFlowcell.

But unlike many of the cars on the Geneva Motor Show floor, this is not headed for the production lines, it's instead a demonstration vehicle for how electric flowcell technology might change motoring.

Quant is equipped with a 48 V Low-Voltage Flow Cell Drive which delivers 300 kilometres per hour and zero to 100 kilometres in 2.4 seconds.

The flowcell technology promises a range of over 1,000 kilometres on a single charge, working on a low battery voltage of 48 volts.

Ralf Kaiser from nanoFlowcell says they created the QUANT to provide "perspective" on how electric power can change mobility.

"When I see many manufacturers, they do not have a perspective on electric mobility. You have individual business cases, like Tesla, but you do not have a future concept for electric mobility," he says.

"You have a lot of alibi cars because no-one wants to have fingers pointed at them; 'Oh, you don't have any electric car,' But if you ask for a long-term strategy there is none because the current technology doesn't provide a perspective. And this is why we are here."

Across the show floor, Toyota Europe are showcasing this EV vehicle, but the focus is not what's under the hood, but over it.

The i-TRIL is intended as a viable alternative to passenger cars, public transport or motorcycles for short, inner city journeys.

The idea is it can be used for short, city-centre commutes or perhaps picking up the kids from school.

But not too many kids, the i-TRIL boasts just two passenger seats, plus the front driving position.

"The future will be all about variety, you know. People driving SUVs, some others will use public transportation, but more and more we don't believe that one car can fit all your needs," says Pierre Romeo from Toyota Europe.

"So, in the future maybe you will try to rent this car or buy this car and rent the SUV or rent something else."

Japanese auto manufacturer Nissan is showing its vision of the future through an array of futuristic-looking vehicles, including this three-seater BladeGlider.

Nissan unveiled a working prototype of its futuristic vehicle, which combines zero-emissions, high-performance and sports car design.

A wild version of the design appeared back in 2013, but with advancing technologies, Nissan has now produced this working version.

Performance is central, promising 190 kilometres per hour and 0-100 kilometres in less than five seconds.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says they created the 'Glider' to prove electric cars aren't all reserved-looking cars.

"The BladeGlider is in fact a symbol of performance and electric cars," he says.

"A lot of people have an image of an electric as being good cars, but more stable, slow. Well, it's not the case. Electric cars are performance cars, they can be performance cars.

"So, here we have a completely new design, we have huge torque, we have a lot of performance, that's why for us it's a symbol of innovation and performance, with zero emissions."

While much of the industry heads towards battery power, Hyundai is exploring the possibilities in hydrogen fuel cell technology.

This FE Fuel Concept looks ahead to what the company's next generation of fuel cell vehicles might look like.

The name, 'FE', stands for 'Future Eco', reflecting the new technologies and eco-friendly outlook.

It can share that green theme too - the FE Concept is fitted with portable battery packs which are charged by the car's energy output and can be used to power other passenger vehicles.

Robin Hayles admits fuel cell tech is very much a new technology for many drivers.

He hopes this futuristic yet practical design may encourage others to explore it.

"The tricky thing with any kind of new technology, which fuel cell technology still is, is trying to find that balance between a desirable, futuristic-looking car, but at the same time not turning people away from it because it looks too futuristic," he says.

"Hopefully we've got there with this type of design. Yes, it's futuristic, but still able to deal with the demands of today's world."

While many car makers look five to ten years into the future with their concepts, French auto manufacturer Citroen is perhaps looking a little closer.

This C-Aircross concept is a bold and colourful preview of how the company plans to make its offensive on the booming SUV market.

It's not likely drivers will be going off road too often, instead it's about style, space and design.

Jim Holder, the editorial director of UK-based automotive magazine 'Autocar' says as the industry approaches once futuristic themes, such as digitisation and electric power, those concepts are becoming ever more realistic creations.

"I think it's the themes of autonomy and digitalisation and electrification that are showing through most in the concept cars," he says.

"Whatever a concept car is, it has to carry those themes because we know they're coming to market. They'll be on sale now within about five years.

"So, all the manufacturers are trying to show they're on top of that technology and that they do have a vision for how it can work its way into our lives."

The Geneva Motor Show opens to the public on 9 March and runs through March 19.

In total 900 models are shown by 180 exhibitors, including 148 world and European premiers, according to organisers.

Geneva, Switzerland - 6 March 2017

1. Various of nanoFlowcell QUANT 48VOLT on display at the Geneva Motor Show

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Ralf Kaiser, nanoFlowcell:

"When I see many manufacturers, they do not have a perspective on electric mobility. You have individual business cases, like Tesla, but you do not have a future concept for electric mobility. You have a lot of alibi cars because no-one wants to have fingers pointed at them; 'Oh, you don't have any electric car,' But if you ask for a long-term strategy there is none because the current technology doesn't provide a perspective. And this is why we are here."

3. Low shot of nanoFlowcell QUANT 48VOLT

4. Various of Toyota i-TRIL concept car

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Pierre Romeo, i-TRIL Chief Designer, Toyota Europe:

"The future will be all about variety, you know. People driving SUVs, some others will use public transportation, but more and more we don't believe that one car can fit all your needs. So, in the future maybe you will try to rent this car or buy this car and rent the SUV or rent something else."

6. Various of Nissan BladeGlider

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan:

"The BladeGlider is in fact a symbol of performance and electric cars. A lot of people have an image of an electric as being good cars, but more stable, slow. Well, it's not the case. Electric cars are performance cars, they can be performance cars. So, here we have a completely new design, we have huge torque, we have a lot of performance, that's why for us it's a symbol of innovation and performance, with zero emissions."

7. Various of Hyundai FE Fuel Cell Concept

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Robin Hayles, Hyundai:

"The tricky thing with any kind of new technology, which fuel cell technology still is, is trying to find that balance between a desirable, futuristic-looking car, but at the same time not turning people away from it because it looks too futuristic. Hopefully we've got there with this type of design. Yes, it's futuristic, but still able to deal with the demands of today's world."

9. Various of Citroen C-Aircross Concept

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jim Holder, Editorial Director, 'Autocar' Magazine:

"I think it's the themes of autonomy and digitalization and electrification that are showing through most in the concept cars. Whatever a concept car is, it has to carry those themes because we know they're coming to market. They'll be on sale now within about five years. So, all the manufacturers are trying to show they're on top of that technology and that they do have a vision for how it can work its way into our lives."

11. Various of Quattroruote Scylla concept car

12. Various wide high shots of Geneva Motor Show floor