Honda Plans Fuel Cell Vehicle for 2015

The introduction of Honda’s FCEV Concept drew crowds at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show.
(Source: Honda Motor Co.)

by  Charles Murray, Senior Technical Editor, Electronics & Test

Honda Motor Co. is ratcheting up its investment in fuel cells, rolling out a futuristic new concept vehicle, and announcing plans to launch a hydrogen-powered production car in 2015.

With the sleekly styled Honda FCEV Concept, unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, Honda is providing a sneak peak of the coming program. The company says its new technology could be applied to "multiple" future cars, a sign that it is stepping up its efforts in the fuel cell arena. "Honda's taking the fuel cell program very seriously," Honda spokeswoman Robyn Eagles told Design News. "It's above and beyond what we were doing previously."

The FCEV Concept is considered significant because it is said to be the first vehicle to pack the entire fuel cell powertrain into the engine compartment of a vehicle. In the past, fuel cells were typically too large to fit under the hood and, as such, had to be located under the center of the car. Honda isn't saying how it's reducing the size of the fuel cell stack on its forthcoming vehicles, but it did indicate that the smaller stack will free up cabin space and enable seating for up to five.

At the same time, the company's new fuel cell will boost power by 60%, despite being 33% smaller than the unit used on its existing hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity. The next-generation car is expected to deliver a 300-mile driving range, with an anticipated refueling time of about three minutes.

Honda has been involved in fuel cell technology for more than a decade. It marketed the FCX fuel cell vehicle in 2002. It then rolled out the FCX Clarity in 2008 and 2011. The number of lessees of Honda's fuel cell vehicles, however, has been miniscule. Currently, the Clarity is limited to southern California consumers and has only 24 lessees, according to Honda.

Honda declined to discuss production volumes for the new vehicle, but did say it would be built on an automated assembly line, suggesting that the numbers for the new vehicle would be significantly larger than those of the Clarity.

Earlier this year, Honda also entered into a collaborative arrangement with General Motors to co-develop next-generation fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage technologies for the 2020 timeframe.

Hyundai Motor Co., which recently announced plans to build and sell fuel cell vehicles starting in 2014, plans to make approximately 1,000 of them by the end of 2015.

Industry analysts expect fuel cell production to climb only slightly over the next few years. A study by Navigant Research earlier this year predicted that approximately 4,000 fuel cell vehicles would be sold annually in the US by 2020, putting it at about two hundredths of 1% of overall vehicle sales.

"We expect 2015 to be the first year when we'll see automakers dipping a toe in the fuel cell retail environment," David Hurst of Navigant told us earlier this year. "But even then, it's going to be several years before we see any real production numbers."

Source
http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1366&doc_id=270331&piddl_msgid=1252759

Honda FCEV Concept Makes World Debut at Los Angeles International Auto Show

11/20/2013 - LOS ANGELES, Calif.

The sleekly styled Honda FCEV Concept, made its world debut today at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The concept expresses a potential styling direction for Honda's next-generation fuel-cell vehicle anticipated to launch in the U.S. and Japan in 2015, followed by Europe.

Showcasing exciting and modern styling, the Honda FCEV Concept features sweeping character lines underscored by an ultra-aerodynamic body. The Honda FCEV Concept also delivers ample passenger space and seating for 5-passengers thanks to new powertrain packaging efficiencies.

"The Honda FCEV Concept hints at Honda's future direction for fuel-cell vehicles," said Tetsuo Iwamura, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "While this car is a concept, it points toward a very real future."

Next Generation Honda Fuel Cell-Electric Vehicle
Honda's next generation fuel cell-electric vehicle launching in 2015 will feature the world's first application of a fuel-cell powertrain packaged completely in the engine room of the vehicle, allowing for efficiencies in cabin space as well as flexibility in the potential application of FC technology to multiple vehicle types in the future.

Significant technological advancements to the fuel-cell stack have yielded more than 100kW of power output. The power density is now 3kW/L, an increase of 60 percent, with the stack size reduced 33-percent compared to the FCX Clarity. The next generation Honda FCEV is anticipated to deliver a driving range of more than 300 miles with a quick refueling time of about three minutes at a pressure of 70 MPa.

"The Honda FCEV Concept not only sets our direction for our next generation fuel-cell vehicle in 2015, but for future improvements in electric drive technology," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co. "The advancements we are making are substantial, meaningful and very real."

Honda Fuel-Cell Leadership
Honda has led the industry for nearly two decades in the development and deployment of fuel-cell technology through extensive real world testing, including the first government fleet deployment and retail customer leasing program. Honda has made significant technological advancements in fuel-cell operation in both hot and sub-freezing weather, meeting stringent emissions requirements and safety regulations since the introduction of its first generation fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX in 2002.

Honda began leasing its first-generation FCEV, the Honda FCX, in 2002 and has deployed vehicles in the U.S. and Japan, including its successor, the FCX Clarity, which was named the 2009 World Green Car. Honda has delivered these vehicles to individual retail consumers in the U.S. and collected valuable data concerning real-world use of fuel cell-electric vehicles and hydrogen stations.

Honda's current fuel cell-electric vehicle, the FCX Clarity, launched in July 2008 and was quickly heralded as a technological breakthrough in the areas of design, packaging and efficiency. As the world's first dedicated fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity features a striking silhouette and a low-slung cabin. With the V-flow fuel cell stack positioned down the center of the vehicle and the electric motor located in the front of the vehicle, Honda was able to maintain the Clarity's futuristic styling while delivering 240 miles of driving range.

In the effort to speed the advance of a refueling infrastructure, in May 2013, American Honda joined the public-private partnership H2USA, which brings together  automakers, government agencies, hydrogen suppliers, and the hydrogen and fuel-cell industries to coordinate research and identify cost-effective solutions to deploy infrastructure that can deliver affordable, clean hydrogen fuel in the United States.

In July 2013, Honda entered into a long-term collaborative agreement with General Motors to co-develop the next-generation of fuel-cell systems and hydrogen storage technologies, aiming for the 2020 timeframe. The collaboration expects to succeed by sharing technological expertise, economies of scale and common sourcing strategies.


Honda Fuel Cell-Electric Vehicle Firsts:
The original FCX became the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel-cell vehicle in July 2002. The FCX also was the world's first production fuel-cell vehicle, introduced to the U.S. and Japan in December 2002.
Additional highlights include:

• The Honda FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures (2003).
• The FCX was the first fuel cell vehicle leased to an individual customer (July 2005).
• Honda was the first manufacturer to build and produce a dedicated fuel cell vehicle on a production line specifically made for fuel-cell vehicles (2008).
• Honda was the first manufacturer to create a fuel-cell vehicle dealer network (2008).

Honda Environmental Leadership
Honda is committed to further advancements in environmental technologies and the effort to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions from its products, including the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid and Plug-In, the Fit EV, Civic Natural Gas and the Honda FCX Clarity fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Honda also has led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for 15 consecutive years.
Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/honda-fcev-concept-makes-world-debut-at-los-angeles-international-auto-show/photos/2013-los-angeles-auto-show-5