Hydrogen Makes History: Honda CR-V E:Fcev Defies Gravity At Pikes Peak’s 156 Turns

The mountain doesn’t care what you’re driving. But come June 22, 2025, Pikes Peak will meet its first hydrogen-powered competitor. Honda’s CR-V e:FCEV is about to tackle 12.42 miles of Colorado madness, climbing from 9,390 feet to 14,115 feet through 156 turns. Yeah, that’s a lot of turns.

This isn’t some wild prototype cobbled together in someone’s garage. The folks at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio hand-built this thing. They kept it surprisingly stock too. Dropped the suspension an inch, threw on some racing brake pads, lightweight 18-inch wheels with Yokohama Advan A052 tires.

Add a racing seat and safety cage, and that’s pretty much it. The drivetrain? Untouched. They’re making a point here.

Under the hood sits a U.S.-made Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell cranking out 174 horsepower between 4,006 and 6,750 rpm. Torque? 229 lb-ft starting at just 90 rpm. The fuel cell module alone pumps out 92.2 kW and weighs 166.7 pounds.

This setup combines hydrogen fuel cell tech with plug-in hybrid capability – first time anyone’s tried that in competition. The EPA says it’ll go 270 miles total, with 29 miles on battery alone. The 17.7 kWh battery pack works alongside two high-pressure hydrogen tanks to deliver this range.

Unlike many zero-emission transit options in Europe, which struggle with inconsistent hydrogen supply and high costs, Honda’s racing program shows impressive operational readiness.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Zero Emission Industries is bringing their FTcase portable hydrogen refueling system to the mountain. One person can handle the whole refueling operation. No specialized hydrogen expertise required.

At 10,000 psi, the CR-V’s 4.3 kg tank fills up fast, even at altitude.

The “Race to the Clouds” has been running since 1916. It’s seen everything. But hydrogen? That’s new territory. Honda’s not just racing here. They’re proving hydrogen can handle real-world punishment at altitude where the air’s thin and engines struggle.

The MacPherson struts up front and multi-link rear suspension with amplitude reactive dampers will have their work cut out for them. Behind the wheel, Dai Yoshihara brings his previous Pikes Peak class wins in both EV and Unlimited divisions to this hydrogen challenge.

Pikes Peak doesn’t forgive mistakes. Those 156 turns don’t care about your zero emissions rating. But Honda’s betting their hydrogen tech can handle whatever the mountain throws at it.