Honda FCX Clarity

The Honda FCX Clarity is a hydrogen fuel cell automobile manufactured by Honda.

Currently there are more than 20 2002 prototype-based, leased vehicles in the hands of customers in three different American states, including the state of New York, city of Las Vegas, Chula Vista, San Francisco and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Limited marketing of a latest fuel cell vehicle based on the 2007 concept model is to begin in 2008 in Japan and the United States^[1]. Honda believes it could start mass producing vehicles based on the FCX concept by the year 2018.^[2]

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1999 FCX concept and prototypes

  The first prototype FCX is a two-door, four-seat vehicle that was launched in 1999. Dimensions are: length 4165 mm, width 1760 mm and height 1645 mm. The fuel cell was a PEFC (proton exchange membrane) manufactured by Ballard Power Systems. The fuel cell had power output of 78 kW.

The engine has a maximum output of 60 kilowatts (80 horsepower), torque of 201 lb-ft (272 Nm) and has a EPA certified range of 170 miles.

The first vehicles in the USA were delivered in December 2002 to the City of Los Angeles.

• 1999 September
  • Honda FCX-V1: Hydrogen vehicle model
  • Honda FCX-V2: Methanol-fuel cell model
• 2000 September
  • Honda FCX-V3: Ultracapacitor model, began tests in the public roads
• 2001 September
  • Honda FCX-V4: evolved version of FCX-V3
• 2002 December
  • Honda FCX: first delivered model, delivered to Japanese Prime Minister's office (Kantei) and Los Angeles City Hall

2002 FCX (leased prototypes)

  This FCX uses front-wheel drive and is still a two-door four-seat vehicle like its predecessor. It has a maximum output of 80 kilowatts (107 horsepower) and 282 Nm (201 foot-pounds) of torque and has an operating range of 190 miles. Later with software upgrades this was enhanced to 210 miles.^[3]. The vehicle weighs in at 1680 kg (3700 pounds) and has a maximum speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) and a 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) acceleration time of 11 seconds. Main hydrogen components of the vehicle include fuel cell, two hydrogen tanks behind the rear and ultracapacitors.

This model used first fuel cell developed in-house by Honda called the Honda FC Stack. The fuel cell was introduced in October 2003 and can operate at a low temperature of −20 °C. The type of fuel cell used is a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell.^[4]. The fuel cell stack has a power of 86 kilowatts.

The hydrogen is stored into two separate containers behind the rear seat. They can accommodate a maximum of 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) of hydrogen.

The FCX is a fully featured automobile and has features like traction control, cruise control, automatic climate control, CD player, power windows, power locks and power heated mirrors. The FCX seats four adults comfortably. The only thing new for 2006 model year is the Satellite Navigation System.

Honda originally only leased the FCX to certain corporate and government entities. On 29 June 2005 Honda leased an FCX to its first non-commercial customer; the Spallino family of Southern California.

According to a Honda spokesman, Andy Boyd, the expense of an FCX was estimated to be between $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 at the time (year 2005) owing to some experimental components like the fuel cell.^[5]

2006 FCX concept

    At the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, Honda announced that it would make a production version of the concept FCX it had shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. On 25 September 2006 this new version was unveiled. The updated four-door sedan version looks much sleeker and more futuristic, and has a high focus on comfort and interior space. It has a much more spacious interior with a mixture of plastic, wood and leather.^[6] Production is expected to begin in 2008 in Japan and the U.S.^[7] The production version will closely resemble the concept, although it is unknown if some of the concept's more radical features, such as a tilting instrument panel, will be included.

According to Honda, the new fuel-cell stack is 20% smaller, 30% lighter and has a higher output of 100 kW (129 hp). The new powerplant is 180 kg lighter, 40% smaller in volume and has a high energy efficiency of 60%, compared with 20% for most internal combustion engines, 30% for most hybrid powerplants and 50% for the previous generation FCX.^[8]

The new powerplant utilizes three electric motors: one front-drive motor with an output of up to 80 kW, this motor's shaft is coaxial with the gearbox for a more compact front-end, and two smaller motors with a maximum output of 25 kW driving one of the rear wheels each. This layout makes the FCX technically an all-wheel-drive vehicle. The updated FCX has a maximum speed of 160 km/h (100 mph).

The new FCX utilizes several interesting new features. The new V Flow fuel cell stack can operate at temperatures as low as −30 °C. This is achieved by allowing the gas to flow vertically in the fuel cell stack. The tanks can store up to 5 kg (171 litres) of hydrogen at a pressure of 350 atmospheres, thanks to the new hydrogen absorption materials used. This allows a longer range of up to 350 miles (570 km).

To support the hydrogen fuel-cell technology, Honda also introduced the Home Energy Station (HES). This home solution can convert natural gas to electricity, heat and hydrogen to refuel fuel-cell vehicles. This allows consumers to refuel vehicles with hydrogen at home, important until hydrogen stations become widespread. Alternatively, the hydrogen can be used in the HES's built-in hydrogen fuel cell, providing up to 5 kW of normal or backup electricity and/or hot water for the home. According to Honda, this solution is highly efficient and reduces running costs of electricity, gas and vehicle fuel by up to 50%.

2009 FCX Clarity

On 15 November, 2007 at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, Honda unveiled the FCX Clarity, the first production model, and announced that the car would be available for lease beginning in the summer 2008. Initial availability will be limited to the Southern California market, with availability expanding as hydrogen fueling stations become available.^[9]

Tax credits

On 25 July, 2007 the United States Internal Revenue Service announced that the Honda’s FCX had met the requirements of the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as a qualified fuel cell motor vehicle. Purchasers of the 2005 and 2006 Honda FCX are eligible for a $12,000 Section 30B(b) credit, but consumers are not currently allowed to purchase the vehicle, as it is still available only for leasing.

References

Links

• Honda FCX Technology FCX homepage (Japanese).
• Honda Fuel Cell page contains specifications of FCX, FCX Concept, Home Energy Station.
• Official FCX Concept Site for the 2005 version
• FCX Concept Test Drive Video
• 2006 Honda FCX specifications * Test driving the Honda FCX
• Honda Leases First Fuel Cell Car
• New 2006 FCX Fuel Cell Concept by Honda
• More Details on Honda's 2006 FCX Fuel Cell Car
• Honda Shows Off FCX Fuel Cell Concept Car
• Honda Introduces City of Las Vegas as Next Fuel Cell Customer - Honda Fuel Cell Technology Milestones
• Honda Fuel Cell News
• Honda FCX Forum
• Motor Trend; Honda FCX for 2008
• New Honda FCX Concept Driving Experience