 | The History of the Honda FCX Clarity
Have you ever had to roll up your windows to keep from choking on the exhaust from an older car in front of you? Did you wish that car was a Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) like the extraordinary Honda FCX Clarity?
The only emission that the FCX Clarity produces is water vapor. That's because revolutionary technology allows the FCX Clarity to power its motor with electricity generated from a hydrogen-oxygen chemical reaction. With a maximum output of 134 horsepower and 189 lb.-ft. of torque, the FCX Clarity has responsive acceleration that is ideal for city driving. Plus, the FCX Clarity is practical for a wide range of typical daily driving trips in today's world.
In July 2002, Honda's FCX was certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), making it the first and only fuel-cell car in history to be approved for commercial use. CARB and the EPA have also certified the FCX as a Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV), Tier-2 Bin 1—the lowest possible national emission rating.
In December 2002, the City of Los Angeles began leasing the first of five Honda FCX models, which are now used in normal, everyday activities by city officials. And as the official pace car of the L.A. Marathon from 2001 to 2007, the FCX has proudly served in some not-so-everyday activities as well.
While the 2005 Honda FCX was our second-generation fuel-cell vehicle (FCV), it was the first to be powered by a Honda-designed and manufactured fuel-cell stack. And it was certified by both the EPA and CARB for commercial use. The 2005 FCX achieved a nearly 20-percent improvement in its EPA fuel economy rating and a 33-percent gain in peak power (107 hp vs. 80 hp) compared to the 2004 FCX.
With an EPA city/highway rating of 62/51 mpkg (57 mpkg combined) and an EPA-rated driving range of 190 miles, the hydrogen-powered 2005 FCX delivered nearly a 20-percent improvement in fuel efficiency and range versus the 2004 model that had an EPA rating of 51/46 mpkg (48 mpkg combined) and a range of 160 miles. In terms of energy efficiency, one mile per kilogram (mpkg) of hydrogen is almost equivalent to one mile per gallon (mpg) of gasoline.
The FCX Clarity uses technology of the future that's becoming more and more prevalent today. Keep an eye out for FCX Clarity sightings-because you definitely won't smell them coming.
2008 Honda FCX Clarity Specifications
| Model type |
Honda fuel cell vehicle |
| Name |
FCX Clarity |
| Overall length (inches) |
190.3 |
| Overall width (inches) |
72.7 |
| Overall height (inches) |
57.8 |
| Wheelbase (inches) |
110.2 |
| Track (front/rear, inches) |
62.2/62.8 |
| Vehicle weight (kg/pounds) |
1,625/3,582 |
| Seating Capacity |
4 |
EPA-combined label value (miles)*
*Based on 2008 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
**Gasoline Gallon Equivalent
|
72 mi/kg
74 mi/GGE**
|
| Powertrain |
| Drive method |
Front-wheel drive |
| Motor |
Type |
AC synchronous electric motor (permanent magnet) |
| Max. output (hp) |
134 |
| Max. torque (lb.-ft.) |
189 |
| Fuel cell stack |
Type |
PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) |
| Max. output (kW) |
100 |
| Lithium ion battery Voltage (V) |
288 |
| Fuel |
Required Fuel |
Compressed hydrogen gas |
| Storage |
High-pressure hydrogen tank |
| Tank capacity (gals) |
45.7 |
| Max. pressure when full (psi) |
5,000 |
- Specifications subject to change prior to production
- FCX, Clarity, Honda FC Stack, V Flow FC platform, InterNavi System and VSA are registered trademarks of
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
- Manufacturer: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
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