Honda has come out ahead by putting the first dedicated platform hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the road and into customers’ hands. A true testament to Honda’s pioneering spirit, the evolution of the FCX Clarity is a story filled with determination and brave, creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable obstacles. And it’s all driven by Honda’s sense of responsibility to pursue clean energy sources that promise bluer skies for our children.
To develop a fuel cell vehicle worthy of the Honda name, our engineers worked tirelessly to ensure that the FCX Clarity was:
- Safe for the public
- Operable in freezing weather
- Able to drive a reasonable range before refueling
- Easy to refuel
- Sporty and fun to drive
- Spacious and comfortable
Each generation of the FCX Clarity has brought Honda closer to achieving these goals, and we are proud to introduce the FCX Clarity to the world.
Since the first Honda fuel cell vehicle was unveiled in 1999, dramatic changes have taken place in rapid succession. The fuel cell stack in the 1999 vehicle was very large and bulky. By developing and working to perfect our own Honda Fuel Cell (FC) stacks, Honda has made them significantly smaller and lighter. As a result, the design of the vehicle itself has also gone from tall and boxy to sleek and elegant with a roomy and comfortable cabin.
Honda has brought the fuel cell vehicle from the lab to the fleet and finally to the public. The major barrier now is building up the hydrogen supply infrastructure. We have a strong interest in this area as well and we are hard at work perfecting a Home Energy Station that may supply power to the home in addition to the family car. With these developments, Honda is paving the way for a clean and efficient hydrogen-based society of the future.
Timeline
| 1999: | Honda introduces first fuel cell vehicle prototypes FCX-V1 and FCX-V2. |
| 2000: | Prototype fuel cell vehicle FCX-V3 introduced. FCX begins service as official pace car of L.A. Marathon and goes on to lead the race for eight consecutive years. |
| 2001: | Prototype fuel cell vehicle FCX-V3 equipped with a Honda FC Stack demonstrated at the California Fuel Cell Partnership in Sacramento, California. |
| 2002: | Prototype fuel cell vehicle FCX-V4 introduced. Honda's FCX certified by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB). First and only fuel cell car in history to be approved for commercial use. FCX fuel cell vehicles delivered on the same day in Japan and the U.S. City of Los Angeles becomes first FCX customer, leasing first of five Honda FCX models for fleet use. |
| 2003: | Experiments begin in the U.S with a hydrogen Home Energy Station, providing hydrogen fuel supply and cogeneration functions. Honda FC Stack, a next-generation fuel cell stack capable of power generation at temperatures as low as –20ºC, is announced. Honda becomes world's first automaker to supply a fuel cell vehicle to a private corporation. |
| 2004: | New York State becomes a fleet customer and demonstrates freezing winter startup and operation. |
| 2005: | Honda introduces second-generation FCX. First to be powered by Honda FC stack. FCX is put on road with real family, the Spallinos. FCX Concept vehicle unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show. Huge leap forward in lightweight, compact fuel cell stack design. Result is sleeker vehicle design. |
| 2007: | FCX Clarity, world’s first dedicated platform hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, debuts at L.A. Auto Show. New stack is 20% smaller and 30% lighter than its predecessor. Startups now possible below 23°F. 2007 marks the eighth consecutive year the FCX serves as pace car for the L.A. Marathon. |
| 2008: | FCX Clarity available, as of summer 2008, for consumer use. |
