Honda FCX Clarity hatchback (2010 – ) first UK drive
Tuesday 21 September 2010
The Honda FCX Clarity is a near Ford Mondeo-sized saloon powered by an electric motor with a hydrogen fuel cell.
Unlike battery electric vehicles, which need several hours to re-charge, and have a relatively limited range, fuel cell cars can be refuelled in minutes and will travel several hundred miles between fuelling stops.
They do not produce greenhouse gases like CO2, only emitting harmless water vapour.
Unlike many previous fuel cell designs, the FCX Clarity isn’t a one off prototype. It’s a production car, which Honda is leasing in markets including Japan and America, but for a variety of reasons, British drivers will have to wait before being able to experience cars of this sort in everyday conditions.
However, Honda brought an FCX Clarity to Britain so that journalists could drive it on busy roads in South West London.
An electric car
Honda describes the FCX Clarity as an electric car powered by a fuel cell. Unlike some other fuel cell cars like the Mercedes B-Class-based F-Cell, it has not been adapted from an existing internal combustion engined model. Honda claims this has given it more flexibility with packaging the vehicle.
An example of this is the fuel cell itself; a rectangular box with a radiator-like metal sandwich containing platinum, through which the hydrogen is passed.
This creates a chemical reaction that produces electricity, with water as a by-product.
Honda claims turning the fuel cell sideways and situating it between the front seats saves space and improves the unit’s water flow.
Hydrogen is contained in a boot-mounted, a high-pressure 171-litre tank which takes a fair amount of luggage space. Honda reckons refuelling takes about four minutes.
The hydrogen tank sits between the rear wheels helping weight distribution, and a lithium battery is located ahead of this, under the rear seat.
The front wheels are driven by a 100kw, 129bhp electric motor, and the battery provides power for start offs during cold conditions and during rapid acceleration. It also stores electricity crated during deceleration and regenerative braking.
Conventional driving experience
The FCX Clarity behaves like a regular automatic. Drive and reverse are selected using a small lever mounted on the right hand side of the instrument cowl. Engage drive and the car will accelerate smoothly and almost silently.
On the move the electric motor emits a soft whine, and provides torque-rich acceleration rather like a big diesel, although the power is delivered consistently.
We drove the FCX Clarity on congested suburban London streets, so cannot judge its overall performance, but three up it proved nippy and smooth, although the Mercedes F-Cell feels quicker.
Lifting the accelerator caused the car to slow rapidly but comfortably. On some electric vehicles this transition can be quite pronounced.
The Honda rode well and quietly, and had direct if lifeless steering. The brakes were strong but felt a bit spongy.
The cabin had plenty of space for a quartet of adults, but not room for five. The fixtures and fittings mirrored those of Honda’s conventional models, notably the fussy, Civic-like digital instrument cluster, which one tester likened to a 1980’s portable hi-fi display.
Credible performance
Honda claim the FCX Clarity can reach 60 mph in a little over ten seconds, and has a 100 mph maximum speed, with a theoretical range between refuelling of 270 miles, which is a big improvement on earlier fuel cell cars but still a lot less than the best modern diesels.
Overall, the car felt user friendly and familiar, and is a good indicator of how fuel cell technology is maturing.
Can you buy one?
Honda launched the FCX Clarity two years ago, and is limiting production to 200 units. So far just 35 have been built, with most going to Japan or California, where the cars are leased at the equivalent of £384 a month.
Since Britain lacks hydrogen-refuelling stations, the company has no immediate plans to bring the car here, but has indicated that it hopes to do so at some point.
Key facts:
Model tested: Honda FCX Clarity
On the road price: TBC
Price range: TBC
Date tested: September 2010
Road tester: Martin Gurdon