Honda Clarity: История водородного автомобиля.

The Honda Clarity is a nameplate used by Honda on alternative fuel vehicles. It was initially used only on hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles such as the 2008 Honda FCX Clarity, but in 2017 the nameplate was expanded to include the battery electric Honda Clarity Electric and the plug in hybrid electric Honda Clarity Plug in Hybrid, in addition to the next generation Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. Clarity production ended in August 2021 with US leases for the fuel cell variant continuing through to 2022.

The Honda FCX Clarity is based on the 2006 Honda FCX Concept and only available as a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. The FCX Clarity had electric car qualities such as zero emissions while offering five minute refueling times and long range in a full function large sedan. It was the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle available to retail customers. Production began in June 2008 with leasing in the U. S. commenced in July 2008. It was introduced in Japan in November 2008. The FCX Clarity was available for lease in the U. S., Japan and Europe. In the U. S., it was only available to customers who live in Southern California where several hydrogen fuel stations are available. FCX Clarity were leased for $600 a month in 2010, including collision coverage, maintenance, roadside assistance and hydrogen fuel.

The FCX Clarity electrical power comes from a 100kW Honda Vertical Flow (V Flow) hydrogen fuel cell stack whereby electricity is supplied on demand. In common with many electric vehicles, the car has regenerative braking and uses a separate battery to store energy recovered during braking. The electric motor is based on the motor used in the EV Plus, rated at and torque at 03056rpm. The range on a full hydrogen tank (4.1kg at 5000psi) is EPA certified at 240 mile (386 km). The vehicle is estimated to get about 77 mile (124 km) per kilogram of hydrogen in the city, 67 mile (108 km) per kilogram highway and 72 mile (116 km) per kilogram in combined driving.

The FCX Clarity is about shorter than a 2008 Honda Accord. The display in the dashboard includes a dot that changes color and size as hydrogen consumption grows, to make it easier for the driver to monitor their driving efficiency. A separate display shows the battery power level and another shows motor output. A speedometer is placed above the cockpit display to make it easy for the driver to keep eyes on the road. In the interior, upholstery on the seats and door linings are made with Honda's plant derived Bio Fabric.

The FCX Clarity was produced in Japan at a dedicated fuel cell vehicle assembly line in the Honda Automobile New Model Center (Takanezawa machi, Shioya gun, Tochigi Prefecture). The fuel cell stack itself is produced at Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. (Haga machi, Haga gun, Tochigi Prefecture). It is reported that Honda plans to offer hydrogen fuel cell vehicle at costs competitive with gasoline mid size cars by 2020 although its 2005 hand built predecessor to the Clarity cost about $1 million.

The FCX Clarity's features include an AM FM car radio with CD player, integration for iPod and iPhone, a USB port, auxiliary input, a voice activated GPS navigation system, XM satellite radio, cloth seating surfaces, Bluetooth, and digital instrumentation.

Since the car's unveil at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, it was reported in May 2008 there were 50,000 people inquiring about the car through its Web site. In November 2015, Honda unveiled the Clarity Fuel Cell at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show and announced a plug in hybrid (PHEV) variant. In April 2016, Honda announced that the Clarity Plug In variant would be released in 2017 and also a Clarity Battery Electric (BEV) variant. Each drive train variant is distinguished by a unique "hero color" and different front styling, headlights, and taillights. In June 2021, Honda announced that production of the Clarity Plug in Hybrid and Clarity Fuel Cell would end in August 2021 with Honda's Sayama plant scheduled to close in March 2022.

The plug in hybrid (PHEV) model was launched December 1, 2017 in the U. S. market with a starting MSRP of $34,290; it was eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit in the U. S. unlike some other PHEVs due to its larger battery size, along with other incentives for plug ins in certain states. The Clarity PHEV has an EPA rated all electric range of 47 mile (76 km), with a total combined gas/electric range of 340 mile (547 km). It is the only Clarity model available in all 50 U. S. states as well as Canada, where it was launched nationwide in the latter on December 14, 2017, starting at an MSRP of C$39,990, before available government incentives up to C$13,000. For the North American market, the Clarity Plug in Hybrid is equipped with a J1772 charge port for AC charging at up to 6.6kW. A full charge takes approximately 2.5 hours at the full 6.6kW speed (240V 27.5A), or 13 hours from a standard 120V US wall outlet. The Clarity PHEV was the only variant available in the Forest Blue Pearl exterior color. Other distinctive exterior features found only on the plug in variant include a chrome bar above the front grille, chrome rear deck lid garnish, and a unique wheel design. The Clarity PHEV was subsequently released in Japan on July 20, 2018, with an MSRP of ¥5,880,600 including 8% consumption tax, with an advertised all electric range of on the JC08 driving cycle or on the WLTP driving cycle. Compared to the North American model, the Japanese model includes an additional CHAdeMO DC fast charging connector, providing an 80% battery charge in 30 minutes. For the 2020 model year, the Clarity received a new Acoustic Vehicle Alert System, which emits an audible noise when the car is driving at low speeds in pure electric mode. In August 2019, Honda limited stock of the Clarity PHEV in the United States to only California dealerships, though it could still be ordered nationally. The Clarity PHEV was discontinued in 2021, along with the Fuel Cell model. Honda announced Power Honda Costa Mesa, Honda of Santa Monica and Scott Robinson Honda as the initial dealers, which were chosen for their proximity to hydrogen refueling stations.

The Clarity Fuel Cell is eligible for a federal tax credit of $8000, as the tax credit for fuel cell vehicles was given in December 2015 a short term extension through the end of 2016. As a zero emission vehicle (ZEV), the Clarity FCV is eligible for a purchase or lease rebate in California of $4500 through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. However, Honda only currently offers the Clarity FCV for lease, so the federal incentives are retained by Honda rather than the lessee; leasee is able to receive the CVRP rebate from California.

Owners of the Clarity Plug In Hybrid are eligible for a maximum $7500 tax credit through U. S. federal tax credit programs.

The Honda FCX Clarity was the pace car in 2008 Indy Japan 300 which took place at the Twin Ring Motegi in Tochigi, Japan, April 2008. It also served as the official pace car for the 2011 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in March 2011.