Fuel Cell Technology

Based on its vision of "Blue Skies for our Children", Honda has worked for over thirty years to reduce the environmental impact of cars, including efforts to fuel hydrogen-powered electric vehicle (FCEV) - a technology art and believes that Honda keeps the ultimate promise for a future clean and sustainable transport. As always, Honda has sought to apply its advanced technology in the real world and the expectations of our customers' performance, safety and quality of its fuel cell vehicles crossing. Original technology Honda has broken through technical barriers to FCEVs including start-up the cold, the range and efficiency, and compact packaging. Unequivocally, Honda is also developing technology for the chicken and egg 'dilemma response' use of hydrogen powered vehicles and refueling infrastructure support.

Next-generation Honda fuel cell electric vehicles

* In November 2007 Honda introduced the all new FCX Clarity - the next generation of fuel cell electric vehicle performance, range, to ensure efficiency, and style previously unachievable in a FCEV. FCX Clarity is rented to private clients, and continues on a regular basis - the first deliveries to customers took place in July 2008.
o The FCX Clarity is based on the new Honda V Flow fuel cell electric vehicle platform and is powered by the revolutionary new Honda V Flow fuel cell stack that delivers more power in less space with greater efficiency, power, driving range, reliability and performance cold.
o The V Flow stack configuration uses a revolutionary new cells and that more than doubles the vertical stack of power / weight compared with the previous generation Honda FC stack.
Or with Honda V Flow fuel cell platform, is the size of the overall transmission is reduced by 45 percent to approximately the same size as a V6 hybrid powertrain, while the fuel consumption is a city combined EPA highway fuel efficiency rating of 160 miles per kilogram of hydrogen (kg/H2). Based on this increase in efficiency and an increase of 10 percent of fuel, driving range has increased to 240 miles.
OV Flow platform includes a battery new compact and efficient lithium ion battery, which is 50 percent smaller and lighter than the 40 percent of FCX's ultra capacitors before. It marks the first commercial introduction of the technology of lithium-ion batteries in a car as a source of motive power.
O Honda wants to win real-world experience and exposure for FCEV technology with the auto leasing FCX Clarity fuel cell fleet and private customers throughout the world, mainly in North America, over three years.
o The production of FCX Clarity the world's first dedicated production line FCEV started on June 16, 2008 at Honda Center in New Model Takenazawa, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
o The delivery of the FCX Clarity to selected retail customers in Southern California began in July 2008.

FUEL CELL RESULTS

* Further progress achieved in the field of fuel cells are:
Or the first government-certified FCEV: EPA and CARB certified and certified to comply with all federal safety standards for motor vehicles (July 2002)
or initial rental of a FCEV (December 2002)
Sooner or FCEV to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures (2003)
Sooner or long-term lease for clients in extreme climates (Las Vegas, New York - 2004)
O FCEV first place in the hands of an individual customer (June 2005)
or rental customer fuel cell FCX youngest of the world (March 2007)
Or launch the first dedicated global FCEV Powertrain plant (June 2008)
* In more than five years of use of the fleet and retail customers, including government agencies in California, Nevada and New York, and retail customers in California, the first-generation FCX behaved well in often difficult circumstances, with minimal service assistance, even with the extreme heat of the western deserts and the cold of the Northeast.

Home Energy Station & IMPROVED Hydrogen Solar-Cell Technology

* Unique, Honda is also developing technology for the chicken and egg 'dilemma response' of hydrogen-powered vehicles and fueling infrastructure.
* This includes the fourth generation of development of the Honda Experimental Home Energy Station and developed technology of solar cells to power its fuel cell vehicles in its carbon free energy system completely.
* Honda is testing the fourth generation Home Energy Station developed in partnership with Plug Power, Inc., and is used by Honda R & D Americas headquarters in Torrance, California, a second generation system is also used by Plug Power headquarters in Albany, NY.
o The Home Energy Station is designed to develop a home refueling unit that produces hydrogen from natural gas to supply the fuel cell electric vehicles, service stations and supply of hot water and electricity for the home.
O Home Energy Station IV is 75 percent lower than the original unit with 30 percent less CO2 emissions.
* Honda R & D is also operating an experimental solar cell hydrogen refueling station in Torrance, Calif. The station is the next generation of CIGS thin film solar cells developed by Honda Engineering Co., Ltd., and in mass produced and marketed in Japan by Honda Soltec, LLC.
* In January 2010 Honda R & D Americas began operating a prototype next-generation Solar Hydrogen Station in Los Angeles on its R & D Center. The new system is compact and is designed with an eye to possible use as a home refueling device, allowing convenient and neutral energy at night refueling hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
* The new system no longer requires a compressor, a significant reduction of energy consumption in the process of filling stations, while maintaining sufficient hydrogen for daily commuting 30 miles a day for an 8-night, now the refueling.

1 Official U. S. EPA city / highway combined fuel economy rating. Mile of hydrogen per kilogram (kg-H2) is about the equivalent of a miles per gallon (mpg) of gasoline.