Honda has installed a fast-fueling hydrogen fueling station at its Torrance, Calif., campus as the automaker prepares to introduce its 2015 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle in the state. The station, located on Honda R&D Americas' Torrance campus, will be used for internal demonstration purposes. Honda will also make the new research station available to other automakers to further validate the MC Fill protocol's performance and functionality.

The station is a test case for new hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle fueling technology called MC Fill. The MC Fill fast-fill protocol is designed for fuel systems that store hydrogen at a pressure of 700 bar (10,000 psi). The fueling station can complete most fills in less than three minutes under normal temperature conditions.

The MC Fill name refers to the two key values in a heat transfer equation — "M" for mass and "C" for specific heat. The fueling station measures the heat capacity of the hydrogen storage system and represents the capability of the system to absorb the heat that's generated during fueling. The MC Fill protocol utilizes this value, as well as the dispenser outlet gas temperature and pressure, in its fill control logic, according to Honda.

Honda introduced its FCEV Concept hydrogen vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The vehicle is expected to have a driving range of more than 300 miles.