Honda envisages a system that makes use of solar power to extract hydrogen from natural gas, refines it and then stores the hydrogen in a high-pressure storage tank. Whenever the motorist needs to top up their hydrogen-powered electric cars, they just top up at home.

The company recently unveiled the prototype of its home energy station, which will be testing it at its research and development base in California. The hydrogen generated by this home station will be used to fuel the company's FCX hydrogen-fuel cars.

Should any one out there want to get their hands on such a system, they will have to be patient. The Japanese car maker admits that the system is still at the prototype stage and it could take up to 15 years - or more - before it hits the mass market.