Honda FCX

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The Honda FCX (presumably meaning Fuel Cell eXperimental) is a hydrogen fuel cell automobile manufactured by Honda. It is said to be entirely silent in operation.

Currently there are more than 20 vehicles in the hands of customers in three different states, including the state of New York, city of Las Vegas, Chula Vista, San Francisco and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Limited marketing of a latest fuel cell vehicle based on the 2007 concept model is to begin in 2008 in Japan and the U.S.^[1]. Honda believes it could start mass producing vehicles based on the FCX concept by the year 2018.^[2]

Year 1999 model

The first prototype FCX is a two-door, four-seat vehicle that was launched in 1999. Dimensions are: length 4165 mm, width 1760 mm and height 1645 mm. The fuel cell was a PEFC (Proton exchange membrane) manufactured by Ballard Power Systems. Fuel cell had power output of 78 kW.

The engine has a maximum output of 60 kilowatts (80 horsepower), torque of 201 lb-ft (272Nm) and has a EPA certified range of 170 miles.

The first vehicles in the USA were delivered in December 2002 to the City of Los Angeles.

Year 2005 model

The FCX was updated in 2005. This FCX uses front-wheel drive and is still a 2-door four-seat vehicle like its predecessor. It has a maximum output of 80 kilowatts (107 horsepower) and 282 Nm (201 foot-pounds) of torque and has an operating range of 190 miles. Later with software upgrades this was enhanced to 210 miles.^[3]. The vehicle weights in at 1680 kg (3700 pounds) and has a maximum velocity of 150 km/h (93 mph) and a 0-100 km/h (0 - 60 mph) acceleration time of 11 seconds. Main hydrogen components of the vehicle include fuel cell, two hydrogen tanks behind the rear seat and ultracapacitors.

This model used first fuel cell developed in-house by Honda called the Honda FC Stack. The fuel cell was introduced in October 2003 and can operate at a low temperature of -20 C. The type of fuel cell used is a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell.^[4]. The fuel cell stack has a power of 86 kilowatts.

The hydrogen is stored into two separate containers behind the rear seat. They can accommodate a maximum of 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) of hydrogen.

The FCX is a fully featured automobile and has features like traction control, cruise control, automatic climate control, CD player, power windows, power locks and power heated mirrors. The FCX seats four adults comfortably. The only thing new for 2006 model year is the Satellite Navigation System.

Honda originally only leased the FCX to certain corporate and government entities. On 29 June 2005 Honda leased an FCX to its first non-commercial customer; the Spallino family of Southern California.

According to a Honda spokesman, Andy Boyd, the expense of a FCX was estimated to be between $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 at the time (year 2005) owing to some experimental components like the fuel cell.^[5]

Year 2007 model (first production model)

At the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, Honda announced that it would make a production version of the concept FCX it had shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. On 25 September 2006 this new version was unveiled. The updated 4-door sedan version looks much more sleek and futuristic, and has a high focus on comfort and interior space. It has a much more spacious interior with a great mixture of plastic, wood and leather.^[6] Production is expected to begin in 2008 in Japan and the U.S. The production version will closely resemble the concept, although it is unknown if some of the concept's more radical features, such as a tilting instrument panel, will be included.

According to Honda, the new fuel-cell stack is 20% smaller, 30% lighter and has a higher output of 100kW (129hp). The new powerplant is 180kg lighter, 40% smaller in volume and has a high energy efficiency of 60%, compared with 20% for most internal combustion engines, 30% for most hybrid powerplants and 50% for the previous generation FCX.^[7]

The new powerplant utilizes three electric motors: one front-drive motor with an output of up to 80kW, this motor's shaft is coaxial with the gearbox for a more compact front-end, and two smaller motors with a maximum output of 25kW driving one of the rear wheels each. This layout makes the FCX technically an all-wheel-drive vehicle. The updated FCX has a maximum speed of 160km/h.

The new FCX utilizes several new interesting features. The V Flow new fuel cell stack can operate at temperatures as low as -30C. This is achieved by allowing the gas to flow vertically in the fuel cell stack. The tanks can store up to 5kg (171 litres) of hydrogen at a pressure of 350 atmospheres, thanks to the new hydrogen absorption materials used. This allows a longer range of up to 350 miles (570km).

To support the hydrogen fuel-cell technology, Honda also introduced the HES (Home Energy Station). This home solution can convert natural gas to electricity, heat and hydrogen to refuel fuel-cell vehicles. This allows consumers to refuel vehicles with hydrogen at home, important until hydrogen stations become widespread. Alternatively, the hydrogen can be used in the HES's built-in hydrogen fuel cell, providing up to 5 kW of normal or backup electricity and/or hot water for the home. According to Honda, this solution is highly efficient and reduces running costs of electricity, gas and vehicle fuel by up to 50%.

References

1. ^ Honda FCX Concept Public Debut
2. ^ Honda says fuel-cell cars can be mass-produced by 2018
3. ^ Honda FCX Extends Driving Range
4. ^ Honda Demonstrates the FCX Concept Vehicle
5. ^ Honda FCX: What a Gas! A Week in Suburbia With a Hydrogen Honda
6. ^ 2005 Tokyo Motor Show - Honda FCX
7. ^ FCX - העתיד על-פי הונדה (Hebrew)

Links

• Honda Fuel Cell page contains specifications of FCX, FCX Concept, Home Energy Station.
• Official FCX Concept Site for the 2005 version
• FCX Concept Test Drive Video
• 2006 Honda FCX specifications * Test driving the Honda FCX
• Honda Leases First Fuel Cell Car
• New 2006 FCX Fuel Cell Concept by Honda
• More Details on Honda's 2006 FCX Fuel Cell Car
• Honda Shows Off FCX Fuel Cell Concept Car
• Honda Introduces City of Las Vegas as Next Fuel Cell Customer - Honda Fuel Cell Technology Milestones
• Honda Fuel Cell News