FCX Clarity Hydrogen Car - Hydrogen car information

FCX Clarity Hydrogen Car - Going Green With Hydrogen Cars

FCX Clarity Hydrogen Car

FCX Clarity Hydrogen Car talks about the historical development of the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell powered car. From the 1999 concept to the widest scale release in 2008, this article will examine the evolution of the FCX Clarity.

Honda Hydrogen Car - Honda FCX Clarity

Honda FCX Clarity Hydrogen Car

Greener roads are ahead with the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen car. This zero emissions car uses domestic fuel to help slow the increase in greenhouse gases. With a hydrogen tank, high performance and superior safety, the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen car promises to be the choice vehicle of the future.

An Overview Of The Honda FCX Clarity Hydrogen Car

The modern Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen car has compact, efficient powertrain components for an attractively streamlined layout. The full cell combines hydrogen with oxygen to create electricity to power the electric motor to run the car. The only byproduct left behind from running the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen car is water.

The hydrogen tank stores hydrogen used to create electricity with oxygen to propel the vehicle. The distinctive v flow fuel cells stack generates electricity while the lithium-ion battery stores the electricity. A sophisticated power drive unit governs the electric flow and the electric drive motor gets the Honda FCX Clarity going on the road.

The smooth, quiet ride with a powerful feeling behind the wheel makes the new Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen car fun to drive. The Vehicle Stability Assist feature, Collision Mitigation Braking System and reinforced unit body structure make the Honda FCX Clarity safe as well as enjoyable to drive. The interesting historical development of the Honda FCX Clarity leads to its success today.

The 1999 Honda FCX Concept Hydrogen Car

The first Honda prototype FCX was introduced in 1999. The four-door, four-seat vehicle had a proton exchange membrane fuel cell powering the engine with a maximum output of 80 horsepower. The EPA certified range for this first model was 170 miles. The Honda FCX-V1 was a hydrogen vehicle model and the Honda FCX-V2 was a methanol fuel cell model.

Honda FCX Hydrogen Car From 2000 to 2002

In September, 2000, the FCX-V3 was launched. This ultracapacitor Honda model was tested on public roads. In September, 2001, the evolved version of the FCX-V3 was launched as the Honda FCX-V4. By December, 2002, the first Honda FCX was delivered to Los Angeles City Hall and the Japanese Prime Minister's Office in Kantei.

The 2002 Honda FCX had front-wheel drive, two doors and four seats. The maximum output was 107 horsepower with an operating range of 190 miles. Later software upgrades extended the range to 210 miles. The Honda FCX used the first fuel cell developed in-house.

Honda FCX Hydrogen Car From 2003-2005

By October, 2003, the FCX fuel cell was introduced as the Honda FC Stack with a power of 86 kilowatts and the ability to run at -20°C. In 2003 and 2004, Honda only leased FCX vehicles to particular government and corporate entities. By June, 2005, the first Honda FCX was leased to a non-commercial customer in Southern California.

In 2005, Honda revealed a production version of the concept FCX at the Toyko Motor show.

Honda FCX 2006-2007

Honda formally announced its production version of the FCX at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. The new production version was dramatically unveiled on September 25, 2006. The four-door sedan was sleek with plenty of comfortable interior space featuring plastic, leather and wood. The fuel cell stack is 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter. The powerplant is 40 percent smaller in volume with 60 percent greater efficiency. Technically an all-wheel drive vehicle, the FCX uses three electric motors with a maximum speed of 100 miles per hour. The V flow fuel cell stack can run at an impressive -30°C.

In 2007, Honda also introduced the Home Energy Station (HES). The HES converts natural gas to heat, electricity and hydrogen to refuel the FCX. Consumer can conveniently refuel their hydrogen vehicles at home until hydrogen stations become more widespread.

The 2008 Honda FCX Clarity

The impressive Honda FCX Clarity was launched in 2008. The Honda FCX Clarity is a mid-size, four door sedan with an electric motor. The 2008 Honda FCX Clarity was first unveiled on November 15, 2007 at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. The car was available for lease in the middle of 2008 to a limited Southern California market with leasing terms for 36 months at $600 per month.

The Modern Honda FCX Clarity

The next generation Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen car is almost 400 pounds lighter and 20 percent more fuel efficient. The powertrain is 45 percent more compact and 10 percent more energy efficient. The compact coaxial motor runs quieter at a higher rpm for greater speed and efficiency. The Honda E-drive electric motor minimizes the amount of CO2 released into the air.

Higher cell voltage stability minimizes the amount of heat generated. The lithium ion battery pack is a supplemental power source during braking and deceleration. With a low profile and flat bottom underbody, there is minimal drag for maximum efficiency. Six airbags are a standard feature to ensure safety for all occupants.

Mass production of vehicles based on the Honda FCX concept is expected by 2018. Limited marketing for the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen car began in the United States and Japan in June, 2008.

Thank you to Stacey Doyle for this "FCX Clarity Hydrogen Car" article.

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