Alternative Power

FCX Clarity, Honda's (News - Alert) zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car, is now in commercial production according to the latest announcement made by Japan's Honda Motor Co.

 

Honda officials said the midsize four-seat sedan will initially be available for lease starting July to a limited number of customers in southern California and then in Japan later this year.

The FCX Clarity is powered by the Honda V Flow fuel cell stack along with a lithium ion battery pack and a single hydrogen storage tank to power the vehicle's electric drive motor, officials said.

 

The fuel cells produce electricity that can be used as a clean alternative to gasoline.

The fuel cell stack in the FCX Clarity converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity for the motor. Since there is no petroleum use and only water is produced as exhaust, there are no harmful emissions.

Honda officials also said additional energy created through regenerative braking and deceleration is stored in the lithium ion battery pack and used to supplement power from the fuel cell, when needed.

Honda says the vehicle offers two times better fuel efficiency than a gas-electric hybrid and three times that of a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle.

The company expects to lease a few dozen units in the U.S. and Japan within a year, and about 200 units within three years. The cost of a three-year lease, which is to include maintenance and collision insurance, is likely to be $600 a month.

The lack of hydrogen fueling stations and the high cost of production are seen as the deterrents to mass producing the FCX Clarity.

In another news release, American Honda announced that three Southern California dealerships located in close proximity to hydrogen refueling stations will comprise the world’s first fuel cell automobile dealership network. The dealerships who will provide sales and service support are Power Honda Costa Mesa, Honda of Santa Monica and Scott Robinson Honda.