How does the Honda Clarity fuel cell work?
The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is a hydrogen-powered electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell to generate electricity, which in turn powers the electric motor and charges the onboard battery. This innovative technology allows the Clarity to offer a driving range comparable to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, while producing zero direct emissions.
The Fuel Cell System
At the heart of the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is the fuel cell stack, which is the core component that generates electricity. The fuel cell stack combines hydrogen from the vehicle's storage tanks with oxygen from the air to produce electricity through an electrochemical reaction. This process is highly efficient, with the only byproduct being water vapor.
The electricity generated by the fuel cell stack powers the electric motor, which propels the vehicle. Any excess electricity is used to charge the onboard lithium-ion battery, providing additional power and allowing the Clarity to operate in all-electric mode for short distances.
Hydrogen Storage and Refueling
The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell stores hydrogen gas in high-pressure tanks located under the vehicle's floor. These tanks can hold up to 5.5 kg of hydrogen, which provides the Clarity with a driving range of up to 360 miles on a single fill-up.
Refueling the Clarity is a quick and convenient process, taking approximately 3-5 minutes to completely fill the hydrogen tanks. This is comparable to the time it takes to refuel a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle, making the Clarity a practical choice for everyday driving.
Environmental Benefits
The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is a zero-emission vehicle, meaning it produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants during operation. This makes it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, contributing to cleaner air and reduced carbon footprint.
Additionally, the Clarity's fuel cell technology is highly efficient, converting the chemical energy in hydrogen into electrical energy with minimal waste. This efficiency, combined with the use of renewable hydrogen, helps to further reduce the Clarity's environmental impact.
Which type of fuel cell is used in Honda Clarity?
hydrogen fuel cell
The Clarity Fuel Cell is essentially an electric vehicle that uses a hydrogen fuel cell as its primary power source. The electricity supplied by the fuel cell and hybrid-like storage battery powers an electric motor that drives the front wheels.
Is there a downside to hydrogen cars?
More energy- and labor-intensive to store and transport hydrogen than gasoline or diesel fuel. Fuel cells are expensive to replace. Safety concerns over hydrogen flammability and electrical shock. Maintenance costs remain unclear.
How does fuel cell work for dummies?
They produce electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied. A fuel cell consists of two electrodes—a negative electrode (or anode) and a positive electrode (or cathode)—sandwiched around an electrolyte. A fuel, such as hydrogen, is fed to the anode, and air is fed to the cathode.
Can Honda Clarity run without gas?
On a full charge, the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) offers an electric-only range of approximately 47 miles. This range is more than enough for most daily commutes, meaning many drivers can run their Clarity without ever using gasoline.
Is the Honda Clarity reliable?
And, we should mention reliability — it never failed to deliver us anywhere. After a year with the 2019 Honda Clarity, we have confirmed our initial impressions — it is a well-deserved KBB Best Buy for 2020. Put it on our highly recommended list.
How does the Honda fuel cell work?
How They Work. Fuel cell cars are powered by compressed hydrogen gas that feeds into an onboard fuel cell stack that doesn't burn the gas, but instead transforms the fuel's chemical energy into electrical energy. This electricity then powers the car's electric motors.
How many miles per gallon does a Honda Clarity get?
42 mpg combined
The plug-in manages 42 mpg combined on the EPA scale and 110 MPGe when you consider gas and electricity together. We easily beat the EPA's combined estimate, measuring 46 mpg on the highway in hybrid mode. For comparison, we've managed 49 mpg in a Prius Prime along this same route.
Does the Honda Clarity charge while driving?
Honda Clarity Charging System
A key feature of the Clarity is its ability to partially recharge the battery while driving, thanks to regenerative braking and its hybrid system. However, plug-in charging is still required for a complete recharge.
Is Honda Clarity fuel cell being discontinued?
Clarity production ended in August 2021 with US leases for the fuel cell variant continuing through to 2022.
How long will fuel cell last?
approximately 150,000-200,000 miles
For example, many automakers of passenger cars aim for a fuel cell stack lifespan of at least 5,000 hours or approximately 150,000-200,000 miles. In the heavy-duty category, many bus fuel cell stacks (power plant) have reached lifetimes of 20,000 hours and more, with a goal of 30,000 hours by 2030.
