Water carrier
Honda’s Clarity bringing hydrogen fuel to the masses
SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. >> Honda’s 2017 Clarity brings hydrogen fuel cell power to more people, planning on expanding those who would like to drive a car from which only water comes out the exhaust pipe.
Its fuel cell makes electricity through a chemical reaction using hydrogen reacting with the oxygen contained in the air. It produces no exhaust gases except water vapor. The electricity is stored in batteries and drives the Clarity’s electric powertrain.
Naturally it is very quiet, but drives just like an electric car, which is what it really is. There is plenty of power from a stop, and is certainly as lively as most mid-sized sedans. It does have energy recovering brakes to add energy. But with a five-liter hydrogen supply on board it’s range of 366 miles are exceeds the range of most all-electric vehicles today.
This is the second Clarity, the first FCX Clarity, a fourpassenger sedan released in 2008, used a much
smaller fuel cell stack placed in the center tunnel instead of under the floor.
With the new Clarity Fuel Cell, Honda successfully reduced the size of the fuel cell stack by 33 percent mostly by increasing the output density so fewer were necessary to generate the planed level of power. They also located the stack and control unit under the hood, like a conventional car. That other powertrains can fit under the hood.
This generation of Clarity uses a mid-sized, five-passenger sedan that is much more “mainstream” than most electric vehicles, with more space and flexibility. It is a good-looking car that looks modern and cutting edge, but isn’t “out there.” Moreover, it has more people-friendly luxury level looks inside and out as well as plenty of features people both want and demand in cars today.
That’s because Honda wants to make this a “popular” car – by that they mean a car “for the people.” But it will be at least another generation of vehicles until there is even a minimally effective infrastructure for hydrogen.
To counter this limitation in available hydrogen infrastructure, Honda is introducing both an electric and plug-in hybrid version of the Clarity later this year. With no need for hydrogen refueling, these Clarities can be sold nationwide.
Historically, every electric vehicle has at least one barrier to overcome, mostly these are size, affordability, range or recharging/refueling. So, the three versions of Clarity offset the weaknesses of the other two in terms of market feasibility while generating a strong appeal to a class of customers. In the final analysis, the concept is to broaden the customer base for alternative-powered vehicles.
So, the Clarity Fuel Cell is the ultimate zero-emissions vehicle technology and pushes the edge of the developmental envelope, appealing to those excited by new technology. The Clarity Electric looks to commuters for whom a comfortable and spacious sedan fits their daily drive history. And finally, the Clarity Plug-In hybrid will be the volume leader of the series. Honda says it anticipates an all-electric driving range rating greater than 40 miles. With a gasoline engine, it has an unlimited total range.
The plan is for this model to generate at lease some cash flow as it creates more interest in its various energy sources. So, by the time the next generation of Clarity comes along there will be both a strong market and more infrastructure support for hydrogen, with Honda unashamedly says is the future of non-petroleum vehicles.
Deliveries of the Clarity Fuel Cell started in mid-December, with about 60 accepted so far. This year just under 1000 are expected to be in customer’s hands. The official price is $58,490, but you can’t actually buy one. You can only lease them, at a cost of $369 for a three-year, 20,000-mile-a-year lease. The cars are only available in the Los Angeles area – basically from Santa Barbara to San Diego – and in the Bay area of San Francisco.
That’s because there are hydrogen fuel stations there – with more coming. The cost to fill the five-liter tank is around $90 and that’s good for about 360 miles. While this obviously isn’t inexpensive, that’s not the point. The technology needs to be on the road, in the hands of “civilians” to demonstrate that it works, and works well.
Those who are leasing Clarity cars are the kind of buyer referred to as “early adopters.” They are people who seek the cutting edge in technology or design. They want to try the newest things, not just in cars. To them it’s important to be one of the first to have a new product. They know what its going to cost, and they don’t mind. Honda isn’t leaving them high and dry, as the lease comes with a $15,000 fuel allowance to help with the cost. There is also, in California, a $5000 rebate for buying a zero-pollution vehicle. The EPA gives it a relative mpg rating of 69 mpg in the city and 67 mpg on the highway.
To achieve mass-market appeal, Honda’s product development pathway for hydrogen power is aimed toward future full-scale mass production, rather than focused on a narrow group of users.
I’m a fan, because – sorry – it’s a gas to drive.