Archrival Toyota’s ambitious new Mirai fuel-cell vehicle no doubt provides additional motivation, although Honda would not say whether it would join Toyota in selling-as opposed to strictly leasing-its new fuel-cell auto when it comes to market in the Golden State next spring.
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Hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars are similar to EVs, except for that the batteries are charged via hydrogen fuel cells.
Japan’s three top automakers unveiled Wednesday in Tokyo prototypes of emission-free vehicles that show the technological direction each is taking over the next few years to comply with tightening regulatory standards, especially in the U.S.
“Billions of dollars will be invested in one or the other and may determine which companies will lead the industry through the end of this century”.
This isn’t Honda’s first fuel cell-powered vehicle.
“It’s not that we’re not doing anything about the EV”. “But it needs to evolve”. Engineers say you can fit three sets of golf clubs in there – and that’s probably true.
To be sure, China and Japan are not alone. An electric vehicle with good, smooth torque from stop and a silky quiet ride, with just tire noise and a low whine from the compressor under the hood pumping air to the fuel cell.
Today, at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, we were treated to the production version which Honda has labeled the Clarity Fuel Cell.
“The fuel cell stack for this model was downsized by 33% compared to the previous version of the fuel cell stack and yet an output of more than 100 [kilowatts or kW]”, Honda said in a statement.
The vehicle’s lithium-ion battery, meanwhile, resides under the front seats. The more compact package has allowed Honda to move it away from the transmission tunnel area, to under the bonnet. Honda will sell only 200 FCX Clarity to government and corporate fleets starting in March, which will cost $63,000 but qualify for a substantial government subsidy to encourage fuel cells. The Target Line Tracing System adjusts the car’s line when it deviates from the target, which means the semi-automated system can adjust for wet or snowy pavement that may cause the tires to slip. This station is open to the public (subject to registration) and able to refuel any fuel cell vehicle.
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Not that Honda isn’t aware of the challenges its drivers could face in finding places to charge – it’s now developing a personal-use Smart Hydrogen Station, which is created to be installed at home so you don’t have to go looking for a re-up.
