2009 Honda FCX Clarity Review

[Spiral]

The first ever production FCX Clarity – Honda’s advanced hydrogen fuel cell car – came off the line in Japan today (Monday, 16 June). After 19 years of development, this ‘real world’ fuel cell car marks the beginning of a new era of cleaner motoring. The FCX Clarity – which emits only water from its exhaust pipe – was presented to three of the first US customers in a line-off ceremony at the world’s first dedicated fuel cell vehicle factory: the Honda Automobile New Model Centre (Takanezawa-machi, Shioya-gun, Tochigi Prefecture).

Lease sales are scheduled to begin in July in the United States, and in Japan this autumn. The combined sales plan for Japan and the US will be approximately 70 cars per year, with a total of 200 units over three years. Customers will follow a three-year lease term, at a price of $600 per month (approx £290), including maintenance and collision insurance.

Among the early adopters are the actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her filmmaker husband Christopher Guest, and film producer Ron Yerxa.

How it works
At the heart of the FCX Clarity is a fuel cell stack – a device that uses an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) to convert chemical energy into electrical energy to power a motor that drives the car’s wheels. Honda’s FC stack simultaneously generates electricity and water, emitting no CO2 or other harmful emissions.

A new dedicated fuel cell vehicle assembly line has been established for the production of FCX Clarity, which includes processes unique to a fuel cell car, such as the installation of the fuel cell stack and hydrogen tank.

The fuel cell stack itself is produced at Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. (Haga-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture). In manufacturing fuel cells, exclusively designed automated equipment was introduced to ensure quality of the highest precision while enabling mass production of cells, with several hundred cells required for each fuel cell stack.

“The arrival of the first hydrogen fuel cell car is particularly significant during this time of rapidly increasing oil prices,” says John Kingston, Environment Manager for Honda (UK). “Honda is proud to offer an alternative energy solution that could reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and the effect of motoring on climate change.”

As well as its work with hybrid technology and other alternative energy solutions, Honda has been at the forefront of developing fuel cell systems since 1989. Honda was the first manufacturer to receive commercial certification for a fuel cell car and has 10 previous-generation fuel cell vehicles in experimental use around the world – more than anyone else.

And while the start of FCX Clarity production is a significant milestone for Honda, the company’s short-term focus is the continued development of its low emission, petrol-electric hybrid vehicle.

Next year, Honda’s more affordable hybrid car goes on sale in the UK – a car so keenly priced, that more people around the world will be able to adopt cleaner motoring technology, thus significantly reducing global car emissions.

Journey of the Honda FCX – the world’s leading fuel cell vehicle is evolving into a car of the future

1999 Prototype fuel cell vehicles FCX-V1 (hydrogen-fueled) and FCX-V2 (equipped with methanol reformer) introduced.

2000 Prototype fuel cell vehicle FCX-V3 introduced with high pressure hydrogen tank and ultra capacitor.

2001 Prototype fuel cell vehicle FCX-V3 equipped with a Honda FC Stack demonstrated at the California Fuel Cell Partnership. Public road testing of the FCX-V3 begins in Japan. Experiments with hydrogen production and fueling of fuel cell vehicles begin at Honda R&D Americas in California. Prototype fuel cell vehicle FCX-V4 with extended range introduced.

2002 Honda FCX-V4 receives certification from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Honda FCX-V4 serves as pace car at the Los Angeles Marathon. Honda FCX becomes first fuel cell vehicle certified by the US EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) for commercial use. Agreement concluded with the City of Los Angeles to make it the first US customer for a fuel cell car. Introduction of the FCX prototype scheduled for same year. FCX receives certification from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. 2 FCX fuel cell vehicles delivered on the same day in the US and Japan.

2003 Honda becomes the world’s first automaker to supply a fuel cell vehicle to a private corporation. FCX vehicle delivered to the City of San Francisco. Experiments begin in the US with a hydrogen Home Energy Station, which provides fuel supply and cogeneration functions. Release of the Honda FC Stack, capable of power generation at temperatures as low as –20°C.

2004 Public road testing in Hokkaido, Japan, of Honda FC Stack equipped FCX, proving the vehicle’s cold start and driving capabilities. Test drives of the Honda FC Stack equipped FCX begin on Yakushima Island (Japan) as part of the Yakushima Zero Emission Project. Honda FC Stack-equipped FCX test drives begin in the US on public roads. Honda FC Stack-equipped FCX receives US government certification for commercial use. Honda FC Stack-equipped FCX leased to the State of New York, world’s first delivery of fuel cell vehicles to a cold-weather region. Honda FC Stack-equipped FCX receives certification for use on public roads from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

2005 Honda FC Stack-equipped FCX delivered to Hokkaido Prefecture. Honda FCX becomes Japan’s first fuel cell vehicle to receive Motor Vehicle Type certification from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Honda delivers FCX fuel cell vehicle to world’s first individual customer: Jon and Sandy Spallino of Redondo Beach, California. The Spallinos sign a two-year Honda FCX lease. FCX Concept fuel cell vehicle displayed at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show.

2006 Honda demonstrates next-generation FCX Concept vehicle featuring a new compact, high-output V Flow FC Stack.

2007 17-year-old American actress Q’orianka Kilcher leases Honda FCX fuel cell vehicle. The Honda FCX Clarity—featuring advanced driving performance, comfort and environmental performance in an elegant, futuristic design—makes its world debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show