Honda Clarity

History

The Honda FCX Clarity is based on the 2006 Honda FCX Concept and only available as a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle. The FCX Clarity had electric car qualities such as zero emissions while offering five minute refueling times and long range in a full function large sedan. It was the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle available to retail customers.^[4]

Production began in June 2008 with leasing in the U.S. commenced in July 2008.^[5] It was introduced in Japan in November 2008. The FCX Clarity was available for lease in the U.S., Japan and Europe. In the U.S., it was only available to customers who live in Southern California where several hydrogen fuel stations are available.^[6] As of July 2010, a total of 20 FCX Clarity cars were leased for US$600 a month, including collision coverage, maintenance, roadside assistance and hydrogen fuel.^[6] There were around 10 others on lease in Japan and another 10 in Europe.^[4][6] One of the reasons for such a low number of cars in the U.S. was a lack of hydrogen filling stations.^[6] In 2014 Honda announced to phase out the FCX Clarity. From 2008 to 2014, Honda leased a total of 46 FCX units in the US.^[7]

Specifications

The FCX Clarity electrical power comes from a 100 kW Honda Vertical Flow (V Flow) hydrogen fuel cell stack whereby electricity is supplied on demand. In common with many electric vehicles, the car has regenerative braking and uses a separate battery to store energy recovered during braking.

The electric motor is based on the motor used in the EV Plus, rated at 134 horsepower (100 kW) and 189 lb⋅ft (256 N⋅m) torque @0-3056 rpm. The range on a full hydrogen tank (4.1 kg @ 5000psi) is EPA certified at 240 miles (~386 km).^[8] The vehicle is estimated to get about 77 miles (123.9 km) per kilogram hydrogen in the city, 67 miles (107.8 km) per kilogram highway and 72 miles (115.9 km) per kilogram in combined driving.^[9]

Design

The FCX Clarity is about 4 inches shorter than a 2008 Honda Accord. It comes with an innovative cockpit: the display in the dashboard includes a dot that changes color and size as hydrogen consumption grows, to make it easier for the driver to monitor their driving efficiency. A separate display shows the battery power level and another shows motor output. A speedometer is placed above the cockpit display, to make it easy for the driver to keep eyes on the road. In the interior, upholstery on the seats and door linings are made with Honda's Bio-Fabric that is derived from plants which cuts CO₂.^[9][10]

Production

The FCX Clarity was produced in Japan at a dedicated fuel-cell-vehicle assembly line in the Honda Automobile New Model Center (Takanezawa-machi, Shioya-gun, Tochigi Prefecture). The fuel cell stack itself is produced at Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. (Haga-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture).

It is reported that Honda plans to offer hydrogen fuel cell vehicle at costs competitive with gasoline mid-size cars by 2020 although its 2005 hand-built predecessor to the Clarity cost about $1 million.^[4]

In July 2014 Honda announced the FCX Clarity would be discontinued and replaced by a new and higher-volume hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle to be introduced.^[7]

Running costs

It is reported in 2009 that hydrogen made from natural gas cost about $5 to $10 per kilogram in California, and after compression cost and transportation cost, retails for $12-$14 per kilogram. Although it was more than double the equivalent amount of gasoline during the summer of 2009, fuel-cell cars have double the efficiency of similar models with a gasoline engine. The FCX Clarity averaged 60 miles per kilogram of hydrogen.^[11]

Features

The FCX Clarity's features include an AM-FM car radio with CD player, integration for iPod and iPhone, a USB port, auxiliary input, a voice-activated GPS navigation system, XM satellite radio, cloth seating surfaces, Bluetooth, and digital instrumentation.

Reception

Since the car's unveil at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, it was reported in May 2008 there were 50,000 people inquiring about the car through its Web site.^[5]

Fuel Cell

Clarity Fuel Cell
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Honda Clarity FCV
Production	2016–present
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury car
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Powertrain
Electric motor	Fuel cell-powered 103 kW (138 hp)
Range	366 mi (589 km) (EPA)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,750 mm (108.3 in)
Length	4,895 mm (192.7 in)
Width	1,877 mm (73.9 in)
Height	1,478 mm (58.2 in)
Curb weight	1,875 kg (4,134 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda FCX Clarity

Retail deliveries of the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell began in Southern California in December 2016. The Clarity is available in 12 approved Honda dealerships located in select California markets, including six dealerships in Southern California, five in the San Francisco Bay Area, and one in Sacramento.^[12] The Clarity Fuel Cell, with range of 366 mi (589 km), has the highest EPA driving range rating of any zero-emissions vehicle in the U.S, including fuel cell and battery electric vehicles.^[12] The 2017 Clarity also has the highest combined and city fuel economy ratings among all hydrogen fuel cell cars rated by the EPA, with a combined city/highway rating of 67 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe), and 68 MPGe in city driving.^[13]

Electric

In April 2016, Honda announced that in addition to the new generation Clarity Fuel Cell there are two additional variants - the Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, which were both released in 2017.^[14] The all-electric Clarity EV with a 25.5 KWh battery has 89 miles (143 km) of range,^[15] and is only available for a three-year lease (US$199/month with US$899 down) for residents of California or Oregon.

For the US market, the Clarity Electric is equipped with SAE J1772-2009 (Type 1) receptacle for 120-240 V Level 1 and 2 AC charging, and associated Combined Charging System for DC fast charging.

Plug-in hybrid

Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury car
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,750 mm (108.3 in)
Length	4,895 mm (192.7 in)
Width	1,877 mm (73.9 in)
Height	1,478 mm (58.2 in)
Curb weight	1,838 kg (4,052 lb)[16]
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid

The plug-in hybrid model was launched December 1, 2017 with a starting MSRP of $34,290; it is eligible for up to a $7,500 federal tax credit in the U.S., along with other incentives for plug-ins in certain states.^[17] The plug-in hybrid has an EPA-rated all-electric range of 47 miles (76 km), with a total combined gas/electric range of 340 miles (550 km),^[18] and is the only Clarity model available in all 50 states as well as Canada; it was launched nationwide in the latter on December 14, 2017 starting at an MSRP of C$39,990, before available government incentives up to C$13,000.^[19]

For the US market, the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is equipped with SAE J1772-2009 (Type 1) receptacle for 120-240 V Level 1 and 2 AC charging. Approximately 13 hours at Level1 and 2.5 hours at Level 2 are needed to charge Clarity Plug-in Hybrid's battery to full.

FCX Clarity

On 25 July 2007 the United States Internal Revenue Service announced that the Honda FCX Clarity met the requirements of the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as a qualified fuel-cell motor vehicle. Purchasers of the 2005 and 2006 Honda FCX were eligible for a US$12,000 Section 30B(b) income tax credit, but consumers were not allowed to purchase the vehicle, as it was only available leased in Southern California, where public hydrogen refueling stations are available. The tax credit expired in 2014.^[20]

The leasing program began in July 2008 at a price of US$600 per month for three years which includes collision coverage, all maintenance and roadside assistance.^[21] Honda announced Power Honda Costa Mesa, Honda of Santa Monica and Scott Robinson Honda as the initial dealers, which were chosen for their proximity to hydrogen refueling stations.

Clarity FCV

The Clarity Fuel Cell is eligible for a federal tax credit of US$8,000, as the tax credit for fuel-cell vehicles was given in December 2015 a short-term extension through the end of 2016.^[20] As a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV), the Clarity FCV is eligible for a purchase or lease rebate in California of US$5,000 through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.^[22] However, Honda only currently offers the Clarity FCV for lease, so the federal incentives are retained by Honda rather than the lessee; leasee is able to receive the CVRP rebate from California.