Honda to launch its new fuel-cell car

The first prototype of Honda’s fuel cell cars was launched in 1999 as a four door, four seater sedans with engine providing output of 80 horsepower powered with fuel cells. While the early fuel cells were made of proton exchange membrane the current fuel cells used in hybrid cars is energy efficient and uses both hydrogen gas and methanol fuel to power their engines. Honda’s fuel cell cars are called Honda FCX or Fuel Cell eXperimental cars. Limited numbers of this energy efficient car is available across United States and Japan.  Till recently these cars were not mass produced due to limited demand and high cost of production which has changed due to rising fuel costs followed by greater interest in environment friendly vehicles. When demand for these environment friendly cars began during 2002, Honda sold them with fuel cell leases which was followed up and replaced with improved technology FCX Clarity.

The new fuel cell cars called FCEV have aerodynamic design to slice through air pressure and dice it swiftly while moving forward. This forward movement is assisted by aero optimized wheels. Honda’s engineers have been improving this technology over the years to manufacture concept laden vehicle with similar power and qualities of a fossil fuel vehicle. The Honda Motor Co will launch its new fuel cars by 2015 with fuel cell technology which will have zero emission. These FCEV car will be officially showcased in two Auto Shows simultaneously namely Los Angeles, US and Tokyo, Japan in November 2013 for creating awareness among prospective customers and auto enthusiasts. The colloquial FCEV stands for fuel-cell electric vehicle as these cells combine oxygen and hydrogen to make electricity which powers electric motor to propel the car. This car is environment friendly since it does not have any emission and only byproduct of this car is water. To make the safer for passengers Honda has installed its trademark Collision Mitigating Braking System which can alert drivers through both visual and audio alerts about potential collision.

Honda is launching its new fuel cell cars in Japan and US markets only since it faces little competition from local manufacturers and has already set up infrastructure for refueling in these markets. The sketch presented with official announcement from Honda about launch of their new fuel cell cars is abstract therefore motor enthusiasts are confused about actual body type and interiors of the new car. From details present about fuel cell technology and existing car models in Europe using this technique one can deduce that its engine components will include fuel cell stack and lithium-ion battery along with power drive unit and electric drive motor. This new generation FCEV car will be lighter due to team of compact coaxial motor and Vertical Flow fuel stack which provides more voltage stability while creating more space inside the car. Car designers have stated that this lightweight compact engine and battery stack will allow car to have lower floor and sleeker design which can accommodate more passengers. A lower floor with flat underbody will increase efficiency and power of engine as it will reduce aerodynamic drag of the car.