posted January 09, 2006 07:41 AM
Edited By: Editor on 9 Jan 2006 07:44
Honda to Begin Producing Next Generation FCX Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Production Car Will Closely Resemble the FCX Concept Vehicle making its North American Debut at the North American International Auto Show
Signaling a rapid advancement in its fuel cell vehicle technology, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced that it will begin production in Japan of its next generation FCX hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in three to four years. The FCX Concept vehicle, unveiled just four months ago and now on display at the North American International Auto Show, 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. Honda's FCX Concept defines a new stage in the evolution of fuel cell vehicle technology. 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. The FCX Concept is designed with 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. The FCX Concept is an FCX that delivers style and excitement.
Using an innovative approach, the new, high-efficiency, compact V Flow fuel cell platform makes possible the lowest-floor platform in an FCV ever. 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 fuel cell 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 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.
One barrier to FCV commercialization has been the need for high-capacity yet lightweight and compact hydrogen storage. Honda has now developed a new approach to expanding storage capacity, a newly developed hydrogen absorption material in the tank doubles capacity to 5 kg of hydrogen at 5000 PSI, extending cruising range to 350 miles, equivalent to that of a gasoline-engine car.
Approaching the vehicle, the driver is recognized by vehicle sensors and intelligent cameras unlocking the doors. The driving unit also automatically sets the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and instrument panel to the optimal position for the driver. The instrument panel tilts up and down 45 degrees in response to vehicle speed to give either a sense of security or a relaxed feel. A system installed in the instrument panel senses the driver's line of sight shifting toward menu icons, and operates switches accordingly, allowing the driver hands-free operation of audio, AC and other systems.
As part of its effort to ensure the viability of a hydrogen-based society, Honda is developing the Home Energy Station (HES), a comprehensive system designed to meet residential energy needs by supplying electricity and heat in addition to hydrogen fuel for vehicles. Generating hydrogen from natural gas supplied for residential use, the HES system also offers consumers the convenience of refueling hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles at home. The system is equipped with fuel cells that generate and supply electricity to the home, and is configured to recover the heat produced during power generation for domestic water heating. In addition to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by some 40 percent, the HES system is expected to lower the total running cost of household electricity, gas and vehicle fuel by 50 percent.
posted January 09, 2006 03:27 PM
Ya thats cool but why waste power on widows and stearing wheels?? Just use human power for all of that stuff...
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posted January 09, 2006 10:32 PM
Edited By: worm~hole on 9 Jan 2006 22:33
....forgive me for sounding ignorant but what happens to all of that high pressure when the car is involved in a sudden and catastrophic collision and the end result is total structural destruction?....does it go BOOM with sharp stuff flying everywhere?....or is there a way to contain that pressure and release it slowly?....am I asking the right question?
...don'y get me wrong...I like the idea...beautiful shape, too!
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posted January 10, 2006 05:14 AM
Concept looks good...question? I know we don't just grab hydrogen out of midair and pump it into tanks...I understand it takes a lot of energy to make hydrogen gas. Is this true? Will it be robbing Peter to pay Paul?
quote:Concept looks good...question? I know we don't just grab hydrogen out of midair and pump it into tanks...I understand it takes a lot of energy to make hydrogen gas. Is this true? Will it be robbing Peter to pay Paul?
this is an ongoing debate, and definitely true to some extent. you could argue that H2 is just a really dense power storage method. the main advantage when looked at in this way, is that cleaner sources of energy could be used to produce the hydrogen. or you go with an onboard rectifier which pulls hydrogen frmo methanl, but of course then u'r left with material (carbon and whatnot) just like with IC. of you have fuel cells that run directly off methanol, but same problem. fact is, it's nto a perfect solution. if they could get really dense solar cells, that would definitely be the best thing we could hope for. prolly never be able to run a car off a solar cell, but having home hydrogen producing machines powered by solar cells might work. sorry, i'm rambling now, but u get the picture.
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posted January 09, 2006 07:41 AM
Edited By: 
Production Car Will Closely Resemble the FCX Concept Vehicle making its North American Debut at the North American International Auto Show
