Honda to Begin Producing Next Generation FCX

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. plans to begin production in Japan of its next generation FCX hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in three to four years.

The FCX Concept boasts a fuel cell system that delivers more power in less space in a unique, low-floor fuel cell platform. The premium fuel cell sedan offers the ultimate in clean-running performance, and represents Honda’s vision of future mobility in which vehicles are less dependent on fossil fuels and produce no significant emissions. The FCX Concept is designed with a low center of gravity and a full-sized cabin, offering the kind of driving pleasure and roomy interior previously unimaginable in a fuel cell vehicle. It has a short front end to make the most of its unique low-floor platform, creating a comfortably large cabin. A tapered cabin profile and accentuated fender flare create an attractively dynamic look.

Using an innovative approach, the new, high-efficiency, compact V Flow fuel cell platform makes possible the lowest-floor platform ever in a FCV. Oxygen and hydrogen flow from the top to the bottom of the fuel cell stack (vertical gas flow) and the fuel cells are arranged vertically in the center tunnel (vertebral layout) for new, high-efficiency packaging (volume efficiency).

Compact enough to fit neatly into the center tunnel but robust enough to put out 100kW of power, Honda’s V Flow fuel cell stack offers space efficiency and high-energy output. The key to fuel cell performance is water management. Honda’s new system takes full advantage of gravity to efficiently discharge water formed during electricity generation. This improves performance in sub-zero temperatures, further solving the problem of cold-weather startup that has been a key obstacle to the commercialization of FCV’s. Now, with the V Flow fuel cell stack Honda has achieved ultra-low-temperature start-up performance on a par with that of a gasoline engine. The FCX Concept drive train features three energy-efficient motors: one 80kW in the front and a 25kW space-efficient motor in each rear wheel, leaving ample room for a spacious cabin.

Honda also has expanded storage capacity with newly developed hydrogen absorption material in the tank that doubles capacity to 5kg of hydrogen at 5000 PSI, extending cruising range to 350 miles, equivalent to that of a gasoline-engine car. The Home Energy Station pictured on the cover of this issue and also built by Honda not only provides hydrogen fuel for the FCX Concept but also supplies electricity and heat for the owner’s home.