Honda unveils FCX Clarity advanced fuel cell electric vehicle at motor show in US

A fuel cell reverses the electrolysis of water, producing electricity through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to turn an electric motor and power the vehicle. Fuel cell electric vehicles produce no CO2 or any harmful emissions whatsoever.

Honda began road testing fuel cell electric vehicles in 1999. In December 2002, Honda delivered fuel cell electric vehicles to both the Japanese Cabinet Office and to the City of Los Angeles. Honda continued to develop its fuel cell technology with the goal of more widespread commercialization and, in 2003, released the FCX featuring the Honda FC Stack, the world'ss first fuel cell able to generate power at –20°C. Then, in 2006, Honda achieved fuel cell power generation at –30°C. Also in 2006, the FCX Concept featuring the more compact and higher-output V Flow FC Stack made its driving debut.

In November 2007, Honda unveiled the FCX Clarity advanced fuel cell electric vehicle featuring a fuel cell stack that was lighter, more compact and more powerful than ever before. With exceptional output of 100 kW, the stack featured a 50 percent increase in output density by volume and 67 percent by mass. As compared to its predecessor the FCX, the FCX Clarity offered 20 percent higher fuel economy and a 30 percent greater vehicle range.*

The FCX Clarity was the world's first vehicle to feature Honda's original plant-based Honda Bio-Fabric in its interior. The FCX Clarity also offered climate-controlled seats, which can warm and cool the occupant directly, helping to reduce the overall amount of electricity used for heating and cooling. Honda began leasing the FCX Clarity to individual customers in the United States in July 2008, and in Japan in November 2008.

In January 2011 in Japan, 13 companies, including Honda, other automakers and hydrogen supply companies, announced their plan to work together to realize the wide-scale introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles and necessary hydrogen infrastructure in Japan in 2015. Through this initiative and many others, Honda is proactively working to accelerate the adoption of next-generation automobiles, which can help realize the low-carbon society of the future.

*Honda calculations.