Honda FCX fuel cell electric vehicle another step closer to market launch

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. In Japan since November 2008., Honda has delivered the FCX Clarity to a range of clients including national government agencies, local governments, taxi companies and energy companies.

In January 2011, 13 automakers and hydrogen suppliers issued a joint statement expressing their intention to introduce a fuel cell electric vehicle to the Japanese market and develop hydrogen infrastructure by 2015. 

In March 2012, Honda delivered a FCX Clarity to the Saitama Prefectural Office where, coupled with a newly installed next-generation solar hydrogen station, the model was used for the first time as a public service vehicle, operating under actual urban driving conditions for verification of its CO₂ emission-reducing effects. Newly equipped with a 9-kW external power supply function capable of supplying the average Japanese home with approximately six days' worth of electricity, the vehicle is now being tested for its utility as a day-to-day power source and as a mobile electric generator for emergencies.

These efforts, from 1999 to the present, demonstrate Honda's long-standing commitment to developing fuel cells as the ultimate clean energy technology for replacing fossil fuels, eliminating emissions, and reducing our impact on the global climate.

*Honda calculations.