Taking the next step
Apart from plain hybrids, Honda is aiming to expand its electrified technology with plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles.
By 2030, Honda Motor aims to have green vehicles forming two-thirds of its global sales. “Honda will continue to provide driving joy in the future,” Honda Motor president and CEO Takahiro Hachigo told journalists on the sidelines of the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.
Hachigo said the 65% target sales consists of 50% for hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and 15% for full battery EVs (electric vehicles) and hydrogen powered/fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).
Honda is planning to launch a China-exclusive battery EV in 2018.
“For now, in Asia and Oceania markets, we want to promote hybrids,” said Hachigo.
Clarity FCV
Like any fully electric powered vehicle, the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell (FCV) is a quiet and refined car to drive, as we discovered at a small test track in Twin Ring Motegi.
The five-seater Clarity FCV has a class-leading 650km driving range, based on Honda’s internal tests.
However, unlike conventional EVs powered by lithium-ion car’s lithium-ion battery pack, with only water coming out from the exhaust pipe.
To give you an idea of its size, think of the D-segment Honda Accord.
So, there’s a very spacious cabin, with lots of rear legroom and very good headroom for 1.7-metre adults like us.
However, like NGV (natural gas vehicle) cars in Malaysia, boot space is limited as the 2017 Clarity FCV has two tanks to store the liquid hydrogen.
Refueling time is three to five minutes at a pressure of 70 MPa at a hydrogen refueling station.
A year ago in Japan, Honda started lease sales of the Clarity Fuel Cell - priced at 7,660,000 yen (RM283,000) - mainly to local governments and authorities.
At Twin Ring Motegi, we had only two laps in the car on a small test track.
The 2017 Clarity FCV runs on low rolling-resistance Bridgestone Ecopia EP160 tyres sized 235/45 R18.
The drive motor’s maximum output is 174hp and maximum torque is 300Nm.
Like any electric car, there is no engine noise or vibrations. You also get instant maximum torque delivery, which means you accelerate very quickly from a standstill.
Real-time fuel cell power use ferocious taxi ride in a Clarity Fuel Cell modified race car, where the instant maximum torque delivery of the car was emphasised.
2018 Clarity PHEV
We also had one lap on the test track in a trial unit of the 2018 Clarity PHEV, which earned a class-leading EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) range rating of 76km in EV mode on a full charge.
The Clarity PHEV also received an EPA fuel economy rating of 2.6 litres per 100km.
It has a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine, and a 181hp electric motor producing 314Nm of torque.
The Clarity PHEV features three selectable modes – Normal, Econ and Sport.
A fourth mode – HV mode – is provided to maintain the battery’s state of charge and can be selected in conjunction with Normal, Econ and Sport driving modes.
You can’t tell a lot about the car from only one lap, but here’s what we experienced from the trial unit.
The car started quietly in EV (electric vehicle) mode, and later, our Honda Motor minder