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Currently, Honda is limited to leasing its FCX Clarity fuel cell sedans to drivers in the Los Angeles area because of the city’s hydrogen stations. Hoping to avoid that problem in the future, Honda yesterday began setting up operation of a next-generation solar hydrogen station concept intended for use as a home refueling station for an overnight refill of fuel-cell powered electric-vehicles.
Designed to fit in your garage, the Solar Hydrogen Station produces enough hydrogen from 6-kilowatts of rooftop solar panels made by Honda. It takes the station 8-hours overnight to fill your fuel-cell for daily commuting.
Honda says that its Solar Hydrogen Station is compatible with a “Smart Grid” energy system and would enable users to refuel their vehicle overnight without the requirement of hydrogen storage. The station will also help lower CO2 emissions by using less expensive off-peak electrical power.
Gotta love green technology sometimes.
Honda’s Solar Hydrogen Station:
Press Release:
Honda today began operation of a next generation solar hydrogen station prototype at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas, Inc., intended for ultimate use as a home refueling appliance capable of an overnight refill of fuel cell electric vehicles.
Designed as a single, integrated unit to fit in the user’s garage, Honda’s next generation Solar Hydrogen Station reduces the size of the system, while producing enough hydrogen (0.5kg) via an 8-hour overnight fill for daily commuting (10,000 miles per year) for a fuel cell electric vehicle.
The previous solar hydrogen station system required both an electrolyzer and a separate compressor unit to create high pressure hydrogen. The compressor was the largest and most expensive component and reduced system efficiency. By creating a new high differential pressure electrolyzer, Honda engineers were able to eliminate the compressor entirely – a world’s first for a home use system. This innovation also reduces the size of other key components to make the new station the world’s most compact system, while improving system efficiency by more than 25% (value calculated based on simulations) compared to the solar hydrogen station system it replaces.
Compatible with a “Smart Grid” energy system, the Honda Solar Hydrogen Station would enable users to refill their vehicle overnight without the requirement of hydrogen storage, which would lower CO2 emissions by using less expensive off-peak electrical power. During daytime peak power times, the Solar Hydrogen Station can export renewable electricity to the grid, providing a cost benefit to the customer, while remaining energy neutral.
Designed for simple, user-friendly operation, the intuitive system layout enables the user to easily lift and remove the fuel hose, with no hose coiling when the hose is returned to the dispenser unit.
Engineered for an 8-hour, slow fill for overnight refilling of a fuel cell electric vehicle, the home-use Solar Hydrogen Station would replenish the hydrogen for a typical daily driving, meeting the commuting requirements of many drivers. As with the previous generation system, the hydrogen purity from the new station meets the highest SAE (J2719) and ISO (14687) specifications.
Installed at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas, the new Solar Hydrogen Station will employ the same 48-panel, 6.0kW solar array that powered the previous system. The array utilizes thin film solar cells composed of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS) produced by Honda Soltec Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda that was established for the mass production and sales of solar cells capable of efficient renewable electricity generation. Honda’s unique solar cells reduce the amount of CO2 generated during production as compared to conventional solar cells.
Designed to support the needs of the future owners of fuel cell electric vehicles, the Honda Solar Hydrogen Station was also designed to complement a public network of fast fill hydrogen stations. The Honda FCX Clarity electric vehicle is fast fill capable and offers an EPA-estimated driving range of 240 miles. With fast fill public stations providing 5-minute fueling time for longer trips, and the opportunity of convenient nighttime slow filling at home using a solar station with a Smart Grid connection, the Honda FCX Clarity can cover a wide range of driving demands from the daily commute to weekend trips.
A key strategy in creating a solar hydrogen station for home-use was to create a new lifestyle with convenient, clean, energy-efficient and sustainable home refueling, by addressing the need for refueling infrastructure that can advance the wider use of fuel cell electric vehicles by consumers.
The combination of a fuel cell electric vehicle and the solar hydrogen station could help lead to the establishment of a hydrogen society based on renewable energy, resulting in a major reduction of CO2 emissions and greater energy sustainability.
Honda began operation of its first Solar Hydrogen Station at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas in 2001:
July 2001: 3-unit system with hydrogen storage begins operation.
* October 2003: new 2-unit system with an original Honda electrolyzer and a new solar array utilizing prototype Honda CIGS solar cells offers improved system efficiency.
* August 2008: solar array fitted with mass production CIGS cells from Honda Soltec Co., reducing the size of the array by 20% and further improving photo voltaic (PV) energy efficiency.
* January 2010: new single-unit station begins operation, improving to world’s best system efficiency – increasing the efficiency by more than 25% (value calculated based on simulations) compared to the previous solar hydrogen station system, for a world’s highest system efficiency.
About Honda R&D Americas, Inc.
Honda R&D Americas, Inc. (HRA) is responsible for creating advanced technologies and products in the U.S. that provide new value to Honda and Acura customers. HRA began R&D operations in the U.S. in 1975 with market research activities in California, and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 35 years to include all aspects of new vehicle design and development, as well as taking a leading role in the advancement of leading-edge safety and environmental technologies.
Today, Honda operates 15 major R&D facilities in the U.S. with more than 1,300 designers, engineers and support personnel engaged in the development of automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment products for North America and global markets.
HRA’s major centers include the Los Angeles Center (Torrance, CA), responsible for market research, concept development and styling design; the Ohio Center (Raymond, OH) responsible for complete product development, testing and support of North American supplier development; and a dynamic test facility in Ohio; and the North Carolina Center (Swepsonville, NC) responsible for power equipment R&D.
Hang on, this thing takes 8 hours overnight, but uses solar power, and doesn't store hydrogen... I don't get it. If the hydrogen is produced during the day, doesn't that require storage in the unit?
Hang on, this thing takes 8 hours overnight, but uses solar power, and doesn't store hydrogen... I don't get it. If the hydrogen is produced during the day, doesn't that require storage in the unit?
I think there is a battery system within the unit to store power obtained during the day. It could then go to work at night, producing hydrogen and filling the car's tank.
I think there is a battery system within the unit to store power obtained during the day. It could then go to work at night, producing hydrogen and filling the car's tank.
Scratch that. The system can sell electricity through the smart grid to the power company. It gives electricity to the grid during the day, and then uses cheaper electricity at night to produce the hydrogen.
A close friend's masters was about this kinda stuff.
Honda has flipped the switch activating its next-generation solar hydrogen station prototype at its Torrance, California, R&D center. Ultimately, it’s seen as a home source capable of supplying an overnight refill for one’s fuel-cell electric vehicle. Designed to fit in an FCEV owner’s garage, the unit exploits Smart Grid technology to provide an 8-hour overnight charge of 0.5 kg of hydrogen, figured as sufficient for a typical 10,000-mile/year daily commute.
Given that solar energy arrives in daylight and charging is overnight, the Smart Grid interaction is not only beneficial but essential. The hydrogen is generated through electrolysis of water, the necessary electricity taking advantage of overnight off-peak rates obtained with Smart Grid “Time of Use” metering. During the day, the 48-panel 6-kW solar array captures energy and sells electricity back to the utility, again exploiting the Smart Grid concept.
This approach is seen as more efficient than diverting the daylight-sourced energy directly for overnight refills, whether though a battery storing the electricity or gaseous storage of electrolyzer-produced hydrogen. Honda’s previous solar hydrogen station system had both an electrolyzer and separate compressor; this latter, an expensive component reducing system efficiency. This latest iteration uses a new high-differential-pressure electrolyzer, said to be a world’s first intended for home use.
The idea of an overnight home unit is seen as complementing a public network of fast-fill (i.e., 5-minute) hydrogen stations, something still very much in embryonic development and only in selected “cluster” regions around the country. Fortunately, we at Road & Track are in such a cluster neighborhood. We’re less than 7 miles from existing hydrogen, 24/7, at the University of California Irvine’s National Fuel Cell Research Center—and even closer to a proposed Shell station dispensing the stuff.
One of the issues that I see with this is that the rate the utility company buys your electricity is far lower then what they charge to supply you with electricity. While you will receive money as a credit from the electric company, it might not be anywhere close to what it requires to run the pump overnight. Kind of like banks charging you 5.5% interest to loan you money, but if you let them use your money you get 1.5% in interest.
This lower credit for selling your electricity is one major issue when doing specs for solar panels. You don't want to produce too much electricity over what your project requires because the cost of an additional solar panel outweighs the saving from the electric company buying back your extra electricity.
So basically the solar panel is a non-essential part of this system, if you want you could just choose to pay for the electricity it takes to generate the hydrogen at night.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -- Coming not so soon and probably not to a house near you is the home solar hydrogen refueling station -- Honda Motor Co.'s latest idea in its drive to make hydrogen the fuel of choice for zero-emission cars.
The Japanese automaker believes hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles offer the best long-term alternative to fossil fuels, and the company showed on Friday a refueling breakthrough that it says points to a home version down the road.
Most major automakers have spent billions of dollars in researching hydrogen-powered fuel cells, tempted by the idea of a car that uses no gasoline and emits only water vapor. But Honda is widely seen as the hydrogen leader, while others including General Motors Co. put more effort into battery-powered electric vehicles such as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt.
One of the big barriers to hydrogen car deployment is the lack of refueling infrastructure, leading Honda to bet that the future lies in combining a public station network with a more modest home option.
Honda's home option will comprise a solar-powered hydrogen refueling station using solar panels.
"Customers can choose how they interact with both of them based on their annual miles and their habits," said Stephen Ellis, fuel cell manager at the Honda's North American headquarters in Torrance, Calif.
5 minutes, 240 miles
"The key thing to remember is that with five-minute refueling you are good for another 240 miles," Ellis added.
That range comes from the "fast-fill" public station, of which there are just a handful in Southern California, where Honda leases 15 FCX Clarity hydrogen-powered vehicles and is set to distribute more in coming months.
Eight hours of home solar refueling would guarantee a smaller range of 30 miles or about 10,000 miles per year -- enough for an average commuting car.
At the Los Angeles R&D center, engineers refueled the sleek FCX Clarity sedan with a new single-unit station connected to a solar array that replaces a two-unit system, cutting costs and improving efficiency by 25 percent.
"This is wonderful progress, the biggest progress," said Ikuya Yamashita, the chief engineer of the station.
The station uses a 6-kilowatt solar array, composed of 48 panels and thin film solar cells developed by a Honda subsidiary. It breaks down the water into hydrogen in what Honda calls a "virtually carbon-free energy cycle."
The FCX Clarity's hydrogen "stack" -- or the electricity generator -- is around the size of an attache case, tucked between the two front seats, and is a fifth of the stack size developed a decade ago.
The car is likely to be sold commercially around 2018 in the luxury large sedan category, while the solar hydrogen refueling system could move beyond the research stage and into the market-ready phase around 2015.
"A lot of this work is not necessarily for today's economic situation," said Ellis. "This is for tomorrow, when most people feel energy prices will be higher."
That range comes from the "fast-fill" public station, of which there are just a handful in Southern California, where Honda leases 15 FCX Clarity hydrogen-powered vehicles and is set to distribute more in coming months.
According to the Feb sales stats there was one FCX "sold" last month.
Like the "Phil" natural gas refilling station (for the Civic), I don't see too many people opting for this install in their house.
The car is likely to be sold commercially around 2018 in the luxury large sedan category, while the solar hydrogen refueling system could move beyond the research stage and into the market-ready phase around 2015.
A hydrogen fuel-cell Acura? 2018 seems about right for a 4th generation RL or even a car above the RL.
Southern California, for all it’s smog (and trust me it still hangs in the San Fernando ‘Valley’ 24-7) it still regarded as the automotive ‘Green’ capital of the world, when it comes to big cities.
There are also thousands of Toyota Prius’ within the California state lines and while they are certainly classified as ‘environmentally friendly’ the ‘Green’ star must surely go to Honda’s FCX Clarity.
Launched in 2008, the Clarity is a proper fuel cell electric vehicle with zero emissions and in some cases, offers 5 minute refuelling times. The other more important news is that the 26 lucky Honda Clarity customers, who lease the car for a grand total of US$600 per month, never have to worry about the price of petrol, regardless of what happens in the Middle East. You see – hydrogen is free. At least, for the time being it is.
FCX Clarity drivers now have access to 7 ‘fast-fill’ hydrogen refuelling stations throughout Southern California and last Friday, the world’s 1st station supplied by an existing hydrogen pipeline opened across the street from Toyota’s Motor Corp’s sales division.
The new Royal Dutch Shell hydrogen station will mainly service test fleets from the likes of Toyota (who incidentally lease the land to Shell), Daimler AG, Hyundai Motor Co and General Motors and of course, those fortunate Honda Clarity drivers.
Honda hopes to have at least 200 FCX Clarity cars on the road within a few years. In traffic congested place like Los Angeles, there is an even greater benefit to driving this ultra green Honda. The deal is that fuel cell vehicles get an automatic ‘white sticker’, which qualifies them to travel in the transit lanes (high occupancy lanes) and that goes for a single driver with no passengers.
It’s a great deal if you can get it, but if it’s that good, why aren’t there thousands of them on the road all over the world?
It’s a question of dollars – they cost plenty to build and it’s likely that Honda looses money on each and every Clarity they make.
5 years ago, Ford said that their fuel cell Focus cost $1 million to build although, Toyota said this year, that the actual costs have come down by 90%, which would mean US$100,000, but that’s still way out of the ball park for average consumers.
That said Toyota says that they also plan to release their own fuel cell model by 2015 at a cost of around US$50,000. It makes huge sense when you weigh up the benefits. Hydrogen can be made from natural gas or water, you can refill your car in minutes with a range of several hundred kilometres or more and the clincher, and there are no exhaust emissions.
Whichever way you cut it, the only sustainable fuel model for the global automotive industry is hydrogen fuel cells. The Hybrids and electric plug-in vehicles are simply stop/gap solutions while the collective technology partners work it all out on the fuel cell front.
Whichever way you cut it, the only sustainable fuel model for the global automotive industry is hydrogen fuel cells. The Hybrids and electric plug-in vehicles are simply stop/gap solutions while the collective technology partners work it all out on the fuel cell front.
Wrong - hydrogen fuel cell is even more of a pipe dream than EVs. Bio fuels are the long term sustainable way to go - that's why development of diesels (which would use the bio fuels) is so important.
It's constrained by the support network currently in place. If the industry would get behind a standard - hydrogen, NG, etc - then I think you could see a network of filling stations grow and thrive. Atlanta would be a great testing place, and I'd lease one if the range could hit 300 or more.
The outlook on biofuel isn't much more than the fuel cell et al vehicles - 25-30% of all transportation by 2050. We could be almost out of oil by then.
The biggest issue is the refueling infrastructure - for anything other than bio-fuels (which could use existing pipeplines and gas stations) the very high cost of penetration will doom most of them. On the car side also, it costs nothing to have a diesel use a bio-fuel, whereas an EV, NG or fuel cell car has lots of increased production costs.
One other thing - for jet planes (for which people plan 20+ years ahead) there are no alternatives and they know it - they've started testing alternative bio-fuels.
The biggest issue is the refueling infrastructure - for anything other than bio-fuels (which could use existing pipeplines and gas stations) the very high cost of penetration will doom most of them. On the car side also, it costs nothing to have a diesel use a bio-fuel, whereas an EV, NG or fuel cell car has lots of increased production costs.
The main issue for me at least is that the United States can be completely self-sufficient if it used natural gas. A bonus would be the fact that it is an even cleaner solution.
There is a natural gas station in my town that will let you fill up for just over $1.50 gas gallon equivalent.
So, cleaner air, more jobs in the United States and hundreds of billions of dollars staying here and less of a dent in people's wallets.
^ that could be a mid term solution and that is why I assume Honda is expanding the Civic NG to all of the US. There will come a point where all fossil fuels will become so expensive that you just can't afford to burn it in an engine. We can already make ethanol for $3/gal - once some of the bio-fuels production methods are perfected I assume the productions costs will be in that same ballpark.
^ that could be a mid term solution and that is why I assume Honda is expanding the Civic NG to all of the US. There will come a point where all fossil fuels will become so expensive that you just can't afford to burn it in an engine. We can already make ethanol for $3/gal - once some of the bio-fuels production methods are perfected I assume the productions costs will be in that same ballpark.
$3 a gallon for ethanol? What does it cost without subsidies?
^ it could be higher than $3 but when regular gas is above $4 alternatives are starting to make sense. The problem with ethanol is that the main source is competing for availability with people's food - driving up costs. Bio-fuels must not use a food crop as its main component or they'd fail also. Even if you could make hydrogen for the equivalent of $4/gal the increased infrastructure and car costs will still present a huge penetration challenge.
^ it could be higher than $3 but when regular gas is above $4 alternatives are starting to make sense. The problem with ethanol is that the main source is competing for availability with people's food - driving up costs. Bio-fuels must not use a food crop as its main component or they'd fail also. Even if you could make hydrogen for the equivalent of $4/gal the increased infrastructure and car costs will still present a huge penetration challenge.
Biodiesel using algae holds quite a bit of promise or so I've been told by people in the industry.
I dunno if it's the exact same one but I've seen exactly one Civic GX in all of California. I'm pretty sure it's just one because I only saw it at my old college, same exact color. I know for a fact there are natural gas filling stations because I've seen several NG taxis, as well as a filling station at the airport....
but as far as NG being the future, I dunno. I don't know all the technical details but from my memory it sounds like its similar to what a hydrogen-powered vehicle would be like. Doesn't sound like NG vehicles are too popular though unless the government starts subsidizing the crap out of it or NG vehicles, I will agree, I don't see it taking off for a very long time.
but as far as NG being the future, I dunno. I don't know all the technical details but from my memory it sounds like its similar to what a hydrogen-powered vehicle would be like. Doesn't sound like NG vehicles are too popular though unless the government starts subsidizing the crap out of it or NG vehicles, I will agree, I don't see it taking off for a very long time.
Natural gas vehicles are very very similar to conventional gasoline vehicles. The engines are almost identical. The fuel tanks are different and take up more space.
The point being, it's not a huge leap and the benefits greatly outweigh the costs. The big issue is waiting for someone to take that leap. In Oregon many of the buses run on natural gas and in some locations, local gas companies have been friendly towards folks who own a Civic GX wishing to fill up. I know several people who own them and find them to be a great city vehicle.
According to a couple interviews, Honda claims if they mass produced Civic GX's, their price would be nearly identical to that of a similarly equipped gasoline version. There are tax incentives that significantly reduce the price difference.
Natural gas vehicles are very very similar to conventional gasoline vehicles. The engines are almost identical. The fuel tanks are different and take up more space.
The point being, it's not a huge leap and the benefits greatly outweigh the costs. The big issue is waiting for someone to take that leap. In Oregon many of the buses run on natural gas and in some locations, local gas companies have been friendly towards folks who own a Civic GX wishing to fill up. I know several people who own them and find them to be a great city vehicle.
According to a couple interviews, Honda claims if they mass produced Civic GX's, their price would be nearly identical to that of a similarly equipped gasoline version. There are tax incentives that significantly reduce the price difference.
I got mixed up... you're right. The main downsides are decreased cargo/passenger space, increased weight, and increased base price. The upsides definitely outweigh it, but our infrastructure just doesn't support it at the moment and it's uncertain if it ever will.
If you have a house with a garage and natural gas and mainly use a car for commuting, the PHIL station is all you need. The realtive low cost of NG coupled with the subsidies, almost make up for the increased up front costs. In most places you get to use the HOV lane. For most folks that first if is the issue. And of course availability of NG vehicles which at this point is only the Civic.
Honda Exhibits World Premiere of CLARITY FUEL CELL, Planned Production Model of its All-new Fuel Cell Vehicle, at 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015
-- Lease sales in Japan will begin in March 2016 --
TOKYO, Japan, October 28, 2015 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled the world premiere of the planned production model of its all-new fuel cell vehicle (FCV), CLARITY FUEL CELL, at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015. This model will be on display at the Honda booth during the Tokyo Motor Show. (Press days: October 28-29, 2015 / Public days: October 30 – November 8, 2015)
The all-new CLARITY FUEL CELL fuses the ease of use of a gasoline-powered vehicle and values that are unique to a FCV at a high level. This fusion gives this sedan-type FCV high value and potential to set a benchmark for FCVs now and in the future.
Employing original Honda technologies, the fuel cell stack for this model was downsized by 33% compared to the previous version of the fuel cell stack and yet output of more than 100kW and output density of 3.1kW/L*1 – approximately a 60% improvement – were achieved. The fuel cell powertrain was made as compact as a V6 engine*2, and thus it was made possible to consolidate it under the hood of a sedan-type vehicle for the first time in the world*3. This powertrain layout enabled a full cabin package that seats five adults comfortably .
Combined with improved efficiency of the powertrain and a reduced energy requirement for driving, a 70MPa high-pressure hydrogen storage tank installed to this vehicle provides a cruising range of more than 700 km*4(Honda internal measurement – for reference), the top- class cruising range among all FCVs. The tank can be refilled in approximately three minutes*5, realizing ease of use equivalent to that of a gasoline-powered vehicle. Furthermore, the high-output motor with maximum output of 130kW*1 realizes both direct, highly- responsive and exhilarating driving experience and excellent quietness at the same time. In addition, when combined with an external power feeding device, the Power Exporter 9000, the all-new CLARITY FUEL CELL can function as a "power plant on wheels" that generates and provides electricity to the community in times of a disaster or other events.
Honda will begin lease sales in Japan of this all-new CLARITY FUEL CELL in March 2016. For the first year after the start of sales in Japan, Honda will focus on sales mainly to local government bodies or business customers which Honda has already been working together for the popularization of FCVs. During this period, Honda will collect information about the in- market use situation, including the external power feeding device, and gather diverse opinions from customers and other relevant organizations, then later begin sales to individual customers.
Honda will begin with small-volume production at the Production Supervisory Unit and Powertrain Production Supervisory Unit (located in Takanezawa-machi, Shioya-gun, Tochigi, Japan.), then eventually expand production volume and begin regular sales along with lease sales. The sales price*6 of CLARITY FUEL CELL in Japan will be 7.66 million yen (including consumption tax). The Power Exporter 9000, which has the capacity to feed approximately seven-days' worth*7 of electricity for an average household, is scheduled to go on sale at the same time as the CLARITY FUEL CELL. CLARITY FUEL CELL will be sequentially evolved into the U.S. and Europe.
Honda was one of the first automakers to begin focusing attention to hydrogen as a possible solution for issues such as global warming and depletion of fossil fuels. Honda has been positioning the FCV, which emits only water, as the ultimate environmentally-responsible vehicle and has taken a proactive approach to the research and development of FCVs since the late 1980s.
In 2002, the Honda FCX became the first fuel cell vehicle in the world to be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). With these certifications, Honda began lease sales of the Honda FCX in Japan and the U.S. In 2008, Honda became the first automaker to begin lease sales of the FCX Clarity, which featured an innovative sedan-type package and unprecedented driving experience. The all-new CLARITY FUEL CELL was developed based on various data related to the ease of use and driving performance of these previous Honda FCVs.
With the goal to make a contribution to the forthcoming hydrogen energy society and to realize the joy and freedom of mobility and a sustainable society where people can enjoy life, Honda will continue taking on new challenges in the area of hydrogen technologies including the Smart Hydrogen Station, FCVs and external power feeding devices under the concept of "generate, use and get connected."
Number of occupants = 5
Cruising range (reference) = More than 700km*4 (Honda internal measurement while being driven in JC 08 Mode
Refueling time = Approximately 3 minutes*5
FC maximum output = More than 100kW
FC stack output density = 3.1kW/L*1
Motor maximum output = 130kW
Hydrogen maximum filling pressure = 70MPa
Energy storage = Lithium-ion battery
Vehicle size (length X width X height) = 4,895mm x 1,875mm x 1,475mm
Price*6 (reference) = 7.66 million yen (including consumption tax)
Body color (total 3 colors)
‐Premium Brilliant Garnet Metallic (Roof color: Black / Interior color: Platinum Gray)
‐While Orchid Pearl (Roof color: Black / Interior color: Platinum Gray)
‐Crystal Black Pearl (Interior color: Platinum Gray)
*1 Honda internal measurement
*2 Honda 3.5L V6 engine
*3 Among planned production models of sedan-type vehicle, Honda internal research as of October 2015
*4 Honda internal measurement in JC08 mode and after refueling the vehicle at a hydrogen station with charging pressure of 70 MPa which comply with SAE standards (J2601). The cruising range may vary when the vehicle is refueled at hydrogen station with different specifications, as amount of hydrogen put in the tank will vary depending on the specifications of hydrogen station. The cruising range may also vary significantly depending on conditions of usage (ambient temperature, traffic congestion, etc.) and how the vehicle is driven (sudden starts, use of air-conditioning unit, etc.)
*5 Honda internal measures using 70MPa station in the exterior temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. Time required for refueling may vary depending on conditions.
*6 This model is currently available exclusively for lease sales. The lease price varies depending on lease terms and plans etc.
*7 Calculated based on the average daily electricity consumption by an average household (Researched by the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan)
With gas prices down considerably and hydrogen infrastructure not growing much, this (along with all other FCVs from Toyota, MB, etc) will be niche vehicles for some time to come. I wonder what the reliability has been on the existing Clarity.
04-09-2009, 05:16 PM
Stations
I need to go to bed.
@ blacktire...
SolarPower
unless the government starts subsidizing the crap out of it or NG vehicles, I will agree, I don't see it taking off for a very long time.
