Honda Motor Co. President Taeko Fukui admits that indeed the new Clarity is a bit pricey and he believes that this fuel cell car is in need of further reduction in terms of cost so that the vehicle can get a wider market acceptance. It is acknowledged that the low number of service stations that can serve these fuel cell vehicles can limit the proudction and in effect increase production costs.
Clarity’s Lease Program
Honda initiated the lease program for the Clarity and it is acknowledged as the world’s first retail initiative for fuel cell-run vehicles. The lease term for the Clarity runs for 36 months and it is expected that the customers will shell out around $600.00. That payment should include free maintennace and collision insurance.
Filed under: Honda FCX Clarity , Honda FCX Clarity
That’s the Honda FCX Clarity and production starts this week.
What makes the Honda Clarity a complete stand out in the field is the fact that it uses a fuel cell, and its streamlined layout that is made possible by the compact layout and the car’s efficient powertrain components. The car works and power itselfs by combining hydrogen with oxygen to make electricity. This electrical output is the one that powers the electrical motor and the one that pushes the Clarity to run on the road. The Clarity is emission-free as its only waste is water. The operation of the FCX is basically anchored on five steps. The Hydrogen tank is where the hydrogen is stored, there is the V Flow fuel cell stack that generates the electricity, the Lithium-ion battery that stores the electricity, the Power Drive Unit that manages the electrical flow and the electric drive motor that runs the Clarity.
The Hydrogen tank on board the Clarity is the place where Hydrogen is stored. The V Flow produces the electricity for the vehicle. It combines the hydrogen with oxygen from air and this results in the creation of the electricity. That electricity is the one that powers the motor and runs the vehicle. The fuel cell on board the car is made from thin electrolyte film that is wedged in betwen the two electrode layers in betweeb two separators. Hundred layers of these cells are then connected in series. So how does this works. The Hydrogen will be delivered into an anoded of the fuel cell. The Hydrogen molecules are then divided into electrons and protons thur the use of a catalyst. The electrons are then channeled through the circuit in order to produce electricity. The protons on the other hand pass thrugh a polymer electrolyte membrane. The oxygen enters the cathode and combines with electrons and protons to form water. In the end of the reaction, water vapor and heat are released. The Lithium-ion battery is a supplemental power source on the Clarity. This effectively replaces the ultra-capacitor from earlier FCX models. This is a small battery that cna fit underneath the rear seat. The compact electric motor that serves the Clarity is a small and powerful motor. The motor traces its roots to the one that’s developed by Honda for the EV PLus electric vehicle. Low noise and high efficiency; things that can be delivered by this motor for the Clarity. The Power Drive Unit or the PDU manages the electrical power produced by the car. This is compact and high performing as well. Innovation marks the new powertrain of the FCX Clarity. With its design and layout, the powertrain of the vehicle has become graceful.
Filed under: Honda, Honda FCX Clarity , Honda, Honda FCX Clarity
In a step towards clean burning technology, Honda has started the production of their Honda FCX Clarity. The automaker revealed as well that they are planning to produce just 200 of these futuristic vehicles and just this week the company has announced their first five customers. And Jamie Lee Curtis is part of that list.
The start of the production of the FCX was celebrated in a ceremony at a factory somewhere in Tokyo. The automaker reveals that the FCX Clarity can be easily filled up at the pump and can be driven 280 miles in a full tank, comparable to a gasoline car. This car will get a high fuel efficiency as well. Tough it may look good, this same technology got some issues as well. One problem that is encountered by the manufacturer is the prohibitive cost of the of the fuel cells. But Honda assured people that it has found ways in order to drive cost down, and that can allow them to mass produce the said car. Just this week, the company showed visitors and reporters its fuel cell production line that looks like a semi conductor factory.
The move of Honda right now is part strategic and part safety on its part so that it won’t pale in comparison with its competitor, Toyota. When it comes to hybrids, the Toyota thru its Prius is known as the leader and the promoter of the technology. But it isn’t Toyota’s Prius as the first car of its kind in the market. It was Honda thru its Insight that was first introduced in the US market. But with its move rigth now, Honda can right whatever missteps it made by revealing A-lister customers. Aside from Jamie Lee Curtis, other personalities on the waiting list are Christopher Guest, Canadian actress Laura Harris and Oscar winning Little Miss Sunshine Producer Ron Yerza.
Filed under: Honda FCX Clarity, Hybrid , fuel cell technology, Honda Clarity FCX, Jamie Lee Curtis
