Honda has taken the unprecedented step of building the world’s first production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The Honda FCX Clarity will become available to an undisclosed number of lucky Southern Californians in summer 2008, and its 3 year lease program will run $600 per month, a rate that includes including maintenance and collision insurance.
We were fortunate enough to discuss its groundbreaking features with Honda engineers, and drive the FCX Clarity through the Santa Monica and Malibu areas. To find out how this unique vehicle brings fuel cell technology to the real world, read on.
The Honda FCX Clarity’s humble roots
The Honda FCX Clarity is a remarkably refined four-door sedan, but it didn’t start off that way. Originating with the FCX-V2 in 1999, Honda’s fuel cell concepts evolved dramatically over an eight year period as they lost weight, gained efficiency, and morphed into the most recent iteration, the FCX Clarity.
To see how far it has come, we test drove the FCX Clarity’s predecessor, the 2005 FCX concept. Though it possessed impressive technology for its time, it was also rough around the edges. The FCX is taller and narrower than the FCX Clarity, and wears a hard plastic interior that might as well have been designed by Fisher Price. The FCX not only looks like it comes from another planet, it has the mass density of a death star and drives like awkward subcompact on stilts. Though they got you from point A to point B, Honda’s early fuel cell concepts made a green future seem somewhat bleak; the FCX Clarity uses 74% less parts, and weighs 150 lbs less in spite of its larger footprint.
Despite the massive challenge of establishing a hydrogen fueling infrastructure, Honda has also spent over a decade developing fuel cell technology. When asked about competing alternative fuel technologies, Honda executives respond that the future doesn’t have to be an “either/or” situation; they consider their forward-thinking hydrogen fuel cell projects to be one of several possible solutions to our current dependence on fossil fuels.
Continued below ...
The tech behind the fuel cell hype
Honda knows that the key to building a compelling fuel cell vehicle lies in making it acceptable to a broad audience, and that meant endowing the FCX Clarity with decent power, driving range, and road manners. To achieve those goals, Honda’s V Flow fuel cell stack produces 50% more output by volume compared to the 2005 version, and uses new aromatic electrolytic membranes and wave-shaped flow channels for improved hydrogen and air diffusion. Though rumors have circulated that each FCX Clarity fuel stack contains millions of dollars worth of rare earth metals, Honda engineers assured us that the cells don’t hide a small fortune in exotic materials.
Honda has continually improved the efficiency of their fuel cell powertrain. For instance, in 1999 Honda’s fuel cell stack produced 60 kW and weighed 445 lbs; the latest version produces 100 kW, while weighing only 147 lbs. The fuel cells are capable of starting up in -30º C weather, and are supplied hydrogen from a single 5,000 psi aluminum and carbon fiber resin tank, as opposed to the more complicated two-tank setup found in earlier prototypes. The fuel cell stack works in conjunction with an electric motor that spins up to 12,500 rpm, and is bundled into a single unit with the gearbox. Regenerative braking charges up advanced lithium ion batteries which power the electric motor, and the system works together to produce a total of 134 horsepower and 189 ft-lbs of torque. The FCX Clarity achieves the hydrogen equivalent of 68 mpg combined, with a total cruising range of 270 miles, and its only emissions are water vapor.
Looks that kill, inside and out
In contrast to the clumsy FCX concept, the latest iteration of the FCX Clarity (which was first unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show) features a flowing silhouette, impressive fit and finish, and cool design details. Though its shiny front bumper recalls the Volkswagen Jetta and its polycarbonate rear parking window is reminiscent of the Toyota Prius, the Clarity appears sleek and distinctive in person. Billet aluminum is used in the side mirror trim, and its shiny finish is carried from A-pillar to C-pillar via plastic trim that looks indistinguishable from the metallic brightwork. Aerodynamic aids include wheels that reduce turbulence, a smooth underbody, and a tapered rear cabin.
The FCX Clarity’s relatively narrow body was purpose-built to house its unique powertrain, and complies with federal safety standards. The fuel cell system and hydrogen tank are protected from collisions at any angle, and the lack of an internal combustion engine enables low wheel overhang and excellent legroom for rear passengers, even though the Clarity is 4” shorter than an Accord. The interior is upholstered in Honda Bio-Fabric derived from corn, while black lacquer and wood trim materials contribute to a cabin that feels airy and surprisingly upscale. The interior is as polished and well put together as any mass produced Honda sedan; though a few appliquéd surfaces revealed that our test car was a prototype, there is an impressive attention to detail throughout.
So Honda has proved they can build an attractive, environmentally responsible four-seater, but how does it drive?
Driving the world’s first production fuel cell vehicle
The FCX Clarity is silent but ready for action when you press the brake and use the dash-mounted shifter to click into “D.” Pressing the throttle produces a faint, high-pitched whir that isn’t too obtrusive, and flooring it creates slightly louder noises, which escalate as speed rises. A ball on the dashboard indicates relative fuel economy by changing color and shape; a small, blue ball means you’re driving efficiently, while leadfooted driving will make the ball grow and change from yellow to amber as fuel efficiency decreases.
The car propels itself easily to highway speeds, accelerating with a smooth buildup of power. Insulation from road noise is exceptional, and though some odd noises and valve release sounds are produced by the hydrogen system, none are loud enough to distract from the impressively quiet ride. Thoughtful, fuel-efficient engineering details include electric steering and thermo-electrically heated and cooled seats that discourage A/C use. Visibility is excellent all around, especially through the A-pillar windows that dip below the car’s greenhouse. Safety features include side-curtain, driver, and front passenger airbags, collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control and a rear camera.
Ride quality is a bit controlled, and while it’s never unusually harsh, there is a certain busy feeling across many road surfaces. Brake modulation requires some attention at lower speeds, but stopping is generally easy and drama-free. The Clarity’s road manners are, in fact, so normal you might forget about its radical drivetrain. And that’s a good thing.