Honda Motor has begun sales in Japan of its new fuel cell vehicle (FCV), the Clarity Fuel Cell.
Combined with the improved efficiency of the powertrain and a reduced energy requirement for driving, a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen storage tank installed in this vehicle provides a cruising range of approximately 750km, an increase of approximately 30% compared to the previous FCV model, to achieve the world's top cruising range among all zero emission vehicles. This increase in cruising range significantly improved the practicality of this FCV model as an everyday car which can accommodate all driving needs from everyday use to a long-distance driving trip. The hydrogen tank can be refilled in approximately three minutes, realising ease of use equivalent to that of a petrol-powered vehicle.
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In combination with a portable external power output device, the Power Exporter 9000, the Clarity Fuel Cell can function as a "power source on wheels" that is capable of supplying approximately seven-days' of electricity for an average household.
For the first year of the Clarity Fuel Cell launch in Japan, Honda will focus on lease sales mainly to local government bodies or businesses Honda has already been working with for the popularisation of FCVs. During this period, Honda will collect information about the in-market use of the Clarity Fuel Cell as well as the external power output device and gather diverse opinions and requests from customers and other relevant organisations, and 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), eventually expanding production volume. Moreover, Honda is planning to introduce the Clarity Fuel Cell to Europe and the US before the end of 2016.
