2010 Honda Fcx Clarity
Environmentally responsible automobiles. The final frontier. Honda’s lifelong mission? To boldly go where no other automaker has gone before in creating solutions to man’s life long problem—How to get from point A to point B in the least environmentally damaging manner all the while having a blast doing it.
So what is Honda’s latest solution? The utterly mind blowing Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen powered sedan which is not only a full zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) but is also the most fun to drive alternative fuel vehicle that I have ever driven. Not only does it sound a bit like the Starship Enterprise going into warp drive as it accelerates but it also manages to corner, handle and ride much like any mainstream Honda product. This is to say, brilliantly.
In the past few weeks I have tested hybrid, diesel and natural gas powered vehicles in quick succession. And while I think there are benefits to all of the aforementioned methods of powering an automobile, none is a total fix for the environmental and national security implications of our dependence on foreign oil. The only true fix, dear readers, is a car like the Honda FCX Clarity. And the bonus? It is the one of the most fun to drive cars I have ever had the privilege of testing.
Exterior Styling
The Honda FCX Clarity comes in any color as long as it is a deep, lustrous burgundy called Star Garnet Metallic. Why you would ever order your Clarity in any other color is a mystery to me. Although the FCX Clarity gets plenty of attention on the street and in parking lights due to the fact that it runs on hydrogen, I got just as many complements on the color.
From a design perspective, this four door sedan is a true homerun. To my eyes, it would make a great design for the next Honda Accord. It is futuristic, dynamic and looks like it is going 80 miles per hour sitting still. The ultra-lightweight 16-inch five spoke aluminum alloy resin wheels really add a sporty final touch to the overall look.
The hood, trunk, doors and fenders are all made out of aluminum to help keep the FCX Clarity’s weight down. The front and rear subframes are also made from extruded aluminum to help with this effort. Weight distribution is 53% front/47% rear which is impressive given the utterly unique layout of this hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
Interior Styling, Features and Practicality
The fuel cell stack runs down the center console and takes up a small part of the still cavernous 13.1 cubic foot trunk. Locating the stack here helps keep the center of gravity low and makes for a very safe storage location for the hydrogen.
Do keep in mind, however, that hydrogen is no more combustible than gasoline and if the fuel cell was ever ruptured in an impact it would quickly dissipate into the atmosphere. Gasoline spills out in liquid form making it far more dangerous than hydrogen fuel in the event of an accident.
The interior feels open and airy thanks to the acres of glass surrounding you on all sides. There is even a small glass slit over the trunk (kind of like the old CR-X) which aids in rear visibility. Legroom is truly limo-like for front and rear seat passengers. There are only seat belts for four but from my perspective it could easily carry five (but please don’t since there is no seat belt).
The Honda “Bio-Fabric” material that covers the seats is made from plants and offers a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions when compared to polyester seat fabrics derived from petroleum products. The seats also feel very soft and luxurious to the touch much like velour or alcantara.
The dashboard has a very futuristic feel to it and is dominated by the 3-D pod of gauges directly in front of the driver that show how many bars of fuel cell life are left, how much power is currently stored in the battery, the electric motor speed and it is all topped off by a digital speedometer. To the right of all that is a “power” button, a button for “park” and a switch for “reverse and drive.” In one retro touch, the FCX Clarity uses a foot operated parking brake.
All FCX Clarity models come very well equipped with all the essential creature comforts a luxury car owner could want. It has dual zone climate control, navigation, AM/FM/CD audio system with 6-speakers and USB audio port, Bluetooth, Adaptive Cruise Control, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, keyless entry, Home Link, steering wheel mounted controls, rear-view camera, voice activation, floormats and blue ambient lighting at night.
How Do You Refuel It?
You simply drive your FCX Clarity up to a hydrogen refueling station and open the gas flap like you would in a normal car. What looks a bit like the nozzle end for a barbeque propane tank is what you see under the gas flap. Then you take the hydrogen hose, attach the nozzle and secure it. You wave an electronic pass card in front of the pump, input your vehicle’s PIN (Personal Identification Number) into the keypad and press start. Refueling takes about five minutes.
(Note: There are currently only a handful of refueling stations in Southern California with more set to open in that part of the world very soon. Honda hopes for expansion into other urban areas in the near future.)
Home Energy Station
Honda is currently testing a “Home Energy Station” for the FCX Clarity which creates hydrogen with power from solar panels on a home’s roof and the natural gas that is supplied normally via the local gas company. It requires the installation of a small tank in your garage, solar panels on your roof and access to a home’s natural gas supply.
The one functioning “Home Energy Station” in Torrance, California also helps provide heat and electricity for the home and cuts CO2 emissions by 30% when compared to a home that uses a gas engined car and regular electricity/power. The technology involved is amazing stuff and the “Home Energy Station” is a great way to circumvent the issue of having a very limited hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
Driving Impressions
The hydrogen fuel cell powers advanced lithium ion batteries which put the accelerative force down to the ground via an electric motor that makes a very other-worldly hum when you floor the throttle. The sound was so cool I usually left the stereo off just so I could hear it (but it is easily masked by any music playing on the excellent 6-speaker audio system).
The FCX Clarity doesn’t so much accelerate as rocket towards the horizon when you depress the throttle pedal. As you speed away you may easily be tricked into believing the car may actually start to fly any moment. Really punch it and you can almost hear Star Trek’s Scotty screaming from the control room, “I’m giving ye all she got Captain!”
The feeling, the responsiveness and the sound is all very cool and truly intoxicating. It is, in essence, a truly 21st Century sports sedan. Steering is responsive, the FCX Clarity loves to take corners and body roll is kept to an acceptable minimum. The ride is magic carpet smooth on the notoriously uneven and rough Southern California freeway system.
Can You Own One?
If you live in Southern California near one of the refueling stations in Irvine, Torrance and Santa Monica, have a garage where you can park the car and can afford $600 a month you could possibly qualify as a lessee for your very own FCX Clarity (see Honda’s website for additional details and requirements). Do realize Honda only plans to make around 200 of these cars and there are already 22 on the road (as of the date of this writing). There is also a waiting list for the remainder of these vehicles.
Honda does pay for all of the maintenance for the vehicle, gives you a pass located on the rear fender that allows you to drive solo in the carpool lane (due to its ZEV status) and covers you for the costs in case of a collision. This is because Honda doesn’t want you taking their priceless hydrogen car to your local body shop after a fender bender.
As of this writing hydrogen is also no-charge at all of these fueling stations. When I did get a look at the gas pump after a fill-up it read $18 to fully recharge an empty tank. Each tank is good for about 240 miles.
Final Thoughts
How much do I believe in the Honda FCX Clarity? I believe in it enough that my brother just so happens to be one of the hopefuls on that list of possible future lessees of this fun to drive, brilliant, environmentally responsible and stylish four door sedan. If this is the future of personal transportation then let me be the first to say I am very, very excited about it.
Vehicle Tested: Honda FCX Clarity
Price as Tested: Unknown
Available for Lease: $600 a month/3 years
Includes: No-charge maintenance, no charge hydrogen, Honda coverage in case of collision
Powered by: Lithium Ion Batteries
Output: 288 Volts
Power: 134 horsepower/189 lb. feet of torque
Curb Weight: 3582 lbs.
Trunk: 13.1 Cubic Feet
Passenger Capacity: 4
Miles Per Kilogram: 60 miles per kg.
Fuel Capacity: 3.92 kg. at 5,000psi
Miles per Kilogram as Tested: 54
Vehicle Provided by: Honda Motor Company
