Honda's new fuel-cell ~ FCX Clarity
Source : MSN - Autos December 19 , 2007
Honda enhances its green image with a fuel-cell production car.
With "green" being an ongoing theme at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, it was fitting that Honda would choose that venue to debut its all-new FCX Clarity. With styling very similar to the FCX concept car, the Clarity is a zero-emission electric vehicle powered by Honda's latest-generation hydrogen fuel-cell system.Honda's recent advances in fuel-cell technology have made it possible to build a vehicle as sleek as the Clarity. Typically, fuel-cell vehicles need to be large in order to provide space for the hydrogen fuel tank as well as the fuel-cell stack. The stack produces electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen and then harnessing the chemical energy from the reaction.
The interior matches the futuristic skin, and features eco-friendly materials and climate-controlled front seats, which is more efficient than using the car's air conditioning. The rear seats provide an impressive amount of legroom. 
Turning the key and pressing the blue "Power"' button on the dash brings the car to life. Unique, three-dimensional gauges provide both hydrogen fuel levels as well as available charge left in the batteries. Like a hybrid, until you get rolling, no fuel is used — power arrives from the batteries, not the fuel cell. A ball in the middle of the round display changes color and size depending on the efficiency of your driving. The goal is to keep the circle small and blue. Large and amber means you're not driving very efficiently.
Turning the key and pressing the blue "Power"' button on the dash brings the car to life. Unique, three-dimensional gauges provide both hydrogen fuel levels as well as available charge left in the batteries. Like a hybrid, until you get rolling, no fuel is used — power arrives from the batteries, not the fuel cell. A ball in the middle of the round display changes color and size depending on the efficiency of your driving. The goal is to keep the circle small and blue. Large and amber means you're not driving very efficiently.
Honda claims the FCX Clarity is expected to achieve the equivalent of 68 mpg, with a range of 270 miles. We were able to achieve 59 miles per kilogram of hydrogen, which we're told is practically equivalent to miles per gallon. That's not bad for a combined city/highway drive and seems to support Honda's numbers. 
Next summer Honda will make this advanced fuel-cell vehicle available to a limited number of retail customers in Southern California. Cars will be leased for three years at a cost of $600 per month, which includes maintenance and collision insurance. Honda would not divulge the actual cost of the Clarity, but it's safe to say that profit is likely not one of the goals of the FCX program.
Next summer Honda will make this advanced fuel-cell vehicle available to a limited number of retail customers in Southern California. Cars will be leased for three years at a cost of $600 per month, which includes maintenance and collision insurance. Honda would not divulge the actual cost of the Clarity, but it's safe to say that profit is likely not one of the goals of the FCX program.
Home Energy Station
One of the biggest hurdles to more widespread use of fuel-cell cars is the lack of infrastructure — there are very few places to fill a car with hydrogen. But Honda is working on a solution.
The fourth generation of the experimental Home Energy Station was on display at the LA show, and when it reaches production it will have the potential to change the way we live.
Hooked up to a home's natural gas line, the Home Energy Station would convert natural gas to hydrogen for filling a fuel-cell vehicle. The conversion process would also supply the home with heat and electricity, reducing energy costs both at home and on the road.
With the ability to create hydrogen anywhere there is a natural gas line, the question, "Where do I fill up my fuel-cell car?" will no longer be an issue. The future may be closer than we think.
One of the biggest hurdles to more widespread use of fuel-cell cars is the lack of infrastructure — there are very few places to fill a car with hydrogen. But Honda is working on a solution.
The fourth generation of the experimental Home Energy Station was on display at the LA show, and when it reaches production it will have the potential to change the way we live.Hooked up to a home's natural gas line, the Home Energy Station would convert natural gas to hydrogen for filling a fuel-cell vehicle. The conversion process would also supply the home with heat and electricity, reducing energy costs both at home and on the road.
With the ability to create hydrogen anywhere there is a natural gas line, the question, "Where do I fill up my fuel-cell car?" will no longer be an issue. The future may be closer than we think.
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