1. News Releases 2015
Corporate October 28, 2015
Honda Exhibits World Premiere of CLARITY FUEL CELL, Planned
Production Model of its All-new Fuel Cell Vehicle, at 44th Tokyo
Motor Show 2015
-- Lease sales in Japan will begin in March 2016 --
TOKYO, Japan, October 28, 2015 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled the world premiere
of the planned production model of its all-new fuel cell vehicle (FCV), CLARITY FUEL CELL,
at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015. This model will be on display at the Honda booth
during the Tokyo Motor Show. (Press days: October 28-29, 2015 / Public days: October 30
– November 8, 2015)
The all-new CLARITY FUEL CELL fuses the ease of use of a gasoline-powered vehicle and
values that are unique to a FCV at a high level. This fusion gives this sedan-type FCV high
value and potential to set a benchmark for FCVs now and in the future.
Employing original Honda technologies, the fuel cell stack for this model was downsized by
33% compared to the previous version of the fuel cell stack and yet output of more than
100kW and output density of 3.1kW/L*1
– approximately a 60% improvement – were
achieved. The fuel cell powertrain was made as compact as a V6 engine*2
, and thus it was
made possible to consolidate it under the hood of a sedan-type vehicle for the first time in
the world*3
. This powertrain layout enabled a full cabin package that seats five adults
comfortably.
Combined with improved efficiency of the powertrain and a reduced energy requirement for
driving, a 70MPa high-pressure hydrogen storage tank installed to this vehicle provides a
cruising range of more than 700 km*4
(Honda internal measurement – for reference), the
top-class cruising range among all FCVs. The tank can be refilled in approximately three
minutes*5
, realizing ease of use equivalent to that of a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Furthermore, the high-output motor with maximum output of 130kW*1
realizes both direct,
highly-responsive and exhilarating driving experience and excellent quietness at the same
time. In addition, when combined with an external power feeding device, the Power
Exporter 9000, the all-new CLARITY FUEL CELL can function as a “power plant on wheels”
that generates and provides electricity to the community in times of a disaster or other
events.
Honda will begin lease sales in Japan of this all-new CLARITY FUEL CELL in March 2016. For
the first year after the start of sales in Japan, Honda will focus on sales mainly to local
government bodies or business customers which Honda has already been working together
for the popularization of FCVs. During this period, Honda will collect information about the
in-market use situation, including the external power feeding device, and gather diverse
opinions from customers and other relevant organizations, 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.), then eventually expand production volume and begin regular sales along with lease
2. sales. The sales price*6
of CLARITY FUEL CELL in Japan will be 7.66 million yen (including
consumption tax). The Power Exporter 9000, which has the capacity to feed approximately
seven-days’ worth*7
of electricity for an average household, is scheduled to go on sale at the
same time as the CLARITY FUEL CELL. CLARITY FUEL CELL will be sequentially evolved into
the U.S. and Europe.
Exterior of the all-new CLARITY FUEL CELL
Interior of the all-new CLARITY FUEL CELL
Honda was one of the first automakers to begin focusing attention to hydrogen as a possible
solution for issues such as global warming and depletion of fossil fuels. Honda has been
positioning the FCV, which emits only water, as the ultimate environmentally-responsible
vehicle and has taken a proactive approach to the research and development of FCVs since
the late 1980s.
In 2002, the Honda FCX became the first fuel cell vehicle in the world to be certified by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
With these certifications, Honda began lease sales of the Honda FCX in Japan and the U.S.
In 2008, Honda became the first automaker to begin lease sales of the FCX Clarity, which
featured an innovative sedan-type package and unprecedented driving experience. The all-
new CLARITY FUEL CELL was developed based on various data related to the ease of use
and driving performance of these previous Honda FCVs.
With the goal to make a contribution to the forthcoming hydrogen energy society and to
realize the joy and freedom of mobility and a sustainable society where people can enjoy
life, Honda will continue taking on new challenges in the area of hydrogen technologies
including the Smart Hydrogen Station, FCVs and external power feeding devices under the
concept of “generate, use and get connected.”
3. ■Key specifications
Number of occupants 5
Cruising range (reference)
More than 700km*4
(Honda internal measurement while
being driven in JC 08 Mode
Refueling time Approximately 3 minutes*5
FC maximum output More than 100kW
FC stack output density 3.1kW/L*1
Motor maximum output 130kW
Hydrogen maximum filling
pressure
70MPa
Energy storage Lithium-ion battery
Vehicle size (length X width
X height)
4,895mmx1,875mmx1,475mm
Price*6
(reference) 7.66 million yen (including consumption tax)
Body color (total 3 colors)
‐Premium Brilliant Garnet Metallic (Roof color: Black / Interior color: Platinum Gray)
‐While Orchid Pearl (Roof color: Black / Interior color: Platinum Gray)
‐Crystal Black Pearl (Interior color: Platinum Gray)
*1Honda internal measurement
*2Honda 3.5L V6 engine
*3Among planned production models of sedan-type vehicle, Honda internal research as of October 2015
*4Honda internal measurement in JC08 mode and after refueling the vehicle at a hydrogen station with
charging pressure of 70 MPa which comply with SAE standards (J2601). The cruising range may vary when
the vehicle is refueled at hydrogen station with different specifications, as amount of hydrogen put in the
tank will vary depending on the specifications of hydrogen station. The cruising range may also vary
significantly depending on conditions of usage (ambient temperature, traffic congestion, etc.) and how the
vehicle is driven (sudden starts, use of air-conditioning unit, etc.)
*5Honda internal measures using 70MPa station in the exterior temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. Time
required for refueling may vary depending on conditions.
*6This model is currently available exclusively for lease sales. The lease price varies depending on lease
terms and plans etc.
*7Calculated based on the average daily electricity consumption by an average household (Researched by
the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan)
