Honda Motor Co. Ltd. began sales of its all-new fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in Japan. Dubbed as the Clarity Fuel Cell, the vehicle is claimed to be the world’s first five-passenger sedan type FCV. It is built by making the fuel cell powertrain more compact using original Honda technologies and fitting it entirely under the hood of the car.
The combination of its improved efficiency of the powertrain and reduced energy consumption provides around 30% of increase of cruising range as compared to the previous FCV model. The vehicle features a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen storage tank that can be refilled in approximately three minutes, offering ease of use equivalent to that of a gasoline-powered vehicle.
The Clarity Fuel Cell features a dynamic exterior design that houses a high-output motor, capable of producing 174 bhp of power between 4,500-9,000rpm and a max torque of 300 Nm between 0-3,500 rpm. When this configuration is combined with a portable external power output device, the Power Exporter 9000, the Clarity Fuel Cell is claimed to be able to serve as a power source that can supply (approx) seven-day’ worth of electricity for an average household. The Clarity Fuel Cell will roll out in three colour options, namely – Premium Brilliant Garnet Metallic, White Orchid Pearl and Crystal Black Pearl.
Honda will focus on lease sales mainly to local government bodies or businesses in the first year of Clarity Fuel Cell launch in Japan. During this period, Honda will collect information about the in-market use of the Clarity Fuel Cell as well as the external power output device and gather diverse opinions and requests from customers and other relevant organizations, and then later begin sales to individual customers.
The automaker has already been working with for the popularization of FCVs. Honda will begin with small-volume production at the Production Supervisory Unit and Powertrain Production Supervisory Unit (located in Takanezawa-machi, Shioya-gun, Tochigi, Japan.), eventually expanding production volume. The automaker is also planning to introduce the Clarity Fuel Cell to Europe and the U.S. before the end of 2016.
Key specifications of the all-new Clarity Fuel Cell are as follows-
| Number of occupants | 5 | ||
| Powertrain | Motor | Max. output | 130 kW (174 Bhp) at 4,501-9,028 rpm [Max rpm: 13,000 rpm] |
| Max. torque | 300 Nm between 0-3,500 rpm | ||
| Type | AC synchronous motor | ||
| Fuel cell stack | Max. output | 103 kW | |
| Type | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) | ||
| Drive battery | Type | Lithium-ion battery | |
| Fuel/tank | Fuel type | compressed hydrogen | |
| Tank capacity | 141 L (front: 24 L/ rear: 117 L) | ||
| Nominal pressure | 70 MPa | ||
| Vehicle size (length x width x height) | 4,915 mm x 1,875 mm x 1,480 mm | ||
| Vehicle weight | 1,890 kg | ||
| Price including consumption tax*6 (for reference) | 7,660,000 yen | ||
Key specifications of the Portable external power output device – Power Exporter 9000 are as follows-
| Rated output | 9 kVA |
| Output voltage/output frequency | AC100ï½¥200 V (single-phase three-wire system)
/50/60 Hz (frequency switching system) |
| Power conversion | Inverter |
| Weight | 50.8 kg |
| Overall length x width x height | 755 mm×387 mm×438 mm |
| Output terminal | 100 V×6 terminals /200 V x 1 terminal |
| Applicable standard | V2L Guideline DC 2.1 |
| Price including consumption tax*8
(for reference) |
1,180,000 yen |
image source: NetCarShow
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