Honda FCX Clarity Named 2009 World Green Car

The Honda FCX Clarity was named 2009 World Green Car at a press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show in New York on April 9, 2009. There were a total of 23 award contenders that were nominated by 59 World Car jurors from 25 countries worldwide.

The Honda FCX Clarity is powered by a Vertical Flow (V Flow) fuel cell that combines hydrogen with oxygen to make electricity. The electricity then powers the quiet coaxial E-Drive Honda electric motor, which in turn propels the vehicle. Water is the only byproduct the FCX Clarity leaves behind.

The V Flow fuel cell stack is one of Honda’s greatest breakthroughs in this area. The new design is smaller, allowing for better packaging efficiency. With a smaller stack, there’s room for more people. This ingenious design allows higher cell voltage stability and reduces the amount of heat generated. Gravity also helps with drainage of the excess water.

The compact, high-efficiency lithium-ion battery pack is used as a supplemental power source capturing lost energy during deceleration and braking. The new lithium-ion battery delivers improved performance and energy recovery in a more lightweight, compact package. The new battery is significantly lighter and smaller than the ultra-capacitor of the 2005 FCX, allowing it to be stowed under the rear seat. This gives the car more passenger space and a bigger trunk.

Stylish? Definitely. It’s time to take another look at the FCX. This new model has a lower floor and sleeker overall design thanks to integration of the more compact stack and smaller powertrain. Thin A-pillars allow better visibility. A flat-bottom underbody reduces aerodynamic drag and increases efficiency.

Over the next three years the FCX Clarity will be available in very limited quantities, primarily in Southern Califonia, through a three-year lease of $600/mo.