FCV – Automobiles Review

New Fuel Cell Vehicle is Coming Our Way! What Should We Expect from Honda Team?

2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle Just as many other contemporary brands, Honda joined the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day celebrations. Being one of the leaders in delivering such technologies, the brand will also reveal a new Clarity Fuel Cell model to honor the event.

What we know so far is that the new model will be a five-seater sedan with tons of additions and improvements. It will be available by the very end of 2016 and one of the main features will be even better fuel cell engine.

As you might already know, the US Senate officially recognizes October 8 as the National Hydrogen Fuel Cell Day in order to raise awareness of the benefits of daily use of such technologies. Whether these technologies are truly efficient or not, only time will tell. Meanwhile, Honda has also revealed some launch details: the first vehicles of the new lineup will be first available for purchase in Los Angeles and Orange County regions and for the first time in San Francisco Bay and Sacramento.

In fact, Honda team has taken the idea of a highly-efficient vehicle to a whole new level. The latest improvements have made the fuel cell stack 33 more compact than all previous models and with a total of 60 per cent more efficient. Incredible, right? Also, the new model is expected to deliver some outstanding performance rates: starting with an expected mileage covering of 300 miles with a single charge, the vehicle will also demonstrate new body architecture with lightweight improvements, aerodynamic features and of course, these well-known Honda visuals.

Of course, we should also expect neat interior styling with numerous convenience and infotainment technologies. Of course, we are pretty sure that Honda Sesing will be present, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smart phone integration.

Hopefully, the new addition to the lineup will be as good as all the previous models, if not even better! However, tell me what do you expect? Write down in the comment section!

Source: Honda

October 7, 2016

Toyota Demonstrates A Vehicle From the Distant Future!

Toyota FCV Plus Concept Science says that compressed hydrogen has a higher energy density than electricity and can be generated from extended range of materials. Materials that are easy to store and easy to use. Clean generation of hydrogen from numerous primary energy sources will definitely make local and self-sufficient power generation reality and the fuel cell vehicles will eventually take the main role of rides with their inner sources of energy. And that’s why Toyota team decided to try out something different and something new. And it will incorporate this knowledge with its latest concept vehicle.

How is electricity generated?

Along with vehicle’s hydrogen tank, it will also generate electricity directly from hydrogen that is stored outside the concept. In fact, this sweetie can be further transformed into a versatile source of electric power for use at home or everywhere else. Cool, right?

Furthermore, the car’s fuel cell stack can be even reused as an electricity generator that powers up the usual functions and systems of the concept. And it gets even better when you understand that automobiles like this particular sweetie can contribute to local communities. It gets cooler, right?

Toyota FCV Plus Concept

The fuel cell unit is mounted between the front tires and the hydrogen tank just behind the rear seat. And together with the adoption of independent in-wheel motors in all the four wheels the whole elaborate system allows the driver to relish his smooth drive in spacious cabin. Yes, despite the overall compact size of the vehicle. And of course, this next-gen machine will offer incredible weight balance and flexibility.

Toyota FCV Plus Concept

On the other hand, the exterior adopts the idea of modern accents, blended with distinctive and sleek shape. Furthermore, all the frame structures ensure rigidity and safe ride. Definitely the design demonstrates how a vehicle can be technologically advanced, comfort and have incredible environmental performance at the same time.

Source: Toyota

October 8, 2015

Honda Launches FCV Concept at NAIAS

2016 Honda FCV Concept has been revealed at NAIAS. The vehicle is planned to be produced specifically in the United States and Japan and its market debut is scheduled for March 2016. Honda‘s environmental plan includes the production of several advanced powertrain vehicles, including a new battery-electric model and plug-in hybrid model by 2018. What is more, the Japanese company also envisions further application of its two- and three-motor hybrid systems in the near future. This will offer Honda users in the US very low carbon transportation. In addition, Honda plans to introduce new VTEC Turbo engines that will debut later this year.

FCV Concept is company’s next-gen fuel-cell vehicle. The fuel-cell car has spacious cabin and offers seating for five-persons. Its driving range is estimated to be more than 300 miles, while the refueling time is approximately 3 minutes at a pressure of 70 MPa.

The car has a fuel cell stack, which is mounted under the hood. Compared to the outgoing Honda FCX Clarity, it is 33 percent smaller with a 60 percent increase in power density. As you can see, the FCV Concept features a low, wide aerodynamic body and clean character lines.

Inside, the designers have successfully achieved harmony between man and machine. They have also taken advantage of the powertrain packaging efficiencies, thus delivering greater passenger space and room for five.

What is more, Honda has announced that it will provide FirstElement Fuel with $13.8 million in financial assistance and will build additional hydrogen refueling stations throughout the state of California. In addition, by 2018 the company will introduce two next-generation advanced powertrain vehicles which will use the new Honda Earth Dreams Technology powertrains: new Honda plug-in hybrid model (PHEV) and new Honda battery-electric vehicle (BEV).

The new 4-cylinder VTEC Turbo engine will be introduced by the end of the year. It will be part of the extension of the Earth Dreams Technology powertrain lineup and hence it will deliver fuel efficiency at a very high level.

Source: Honda

January 14, 2015

Honda FCV Concept To Make NAIAS Debut in January

Honda FCV Concept will demonstrate its capabilities at the 2015 NAIAS this January. The vehicle will be making a North American debut showing-off the exterior and interior styling evolution. The next-generation zero emissions Honda fuel-cell vehicle is created with the aim to provide significant gains in terms of packaging, interior space and fuel efficiency. At the same time it is also destined to show real-world performance due to its driving range in excess of 300-miles!

Honda’s next fuel-cell vehicle is anticipated to launch in the U.S. following its introduction in Japan. This is scheduled to happen around March 2016. The new FCV Concept includes a low and wide aerodynamic body and impresses with its clean flowing lines.

Inside, the cabin strives to attain harmony between man and machine. This is achieved via the new powertrain packaging techniques that have delivered even greater passenger space. There is seating for up to five people.

FCV Concept uses electricity produced through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen as a power source for its motor. In addition, the car is equipped with a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen storage tank that delivers a range that exceeds 700 km. The tank can be easily refilled in only three minutes.

We have seen the Honda FCV Concept making a world debut in Japan this November. After this, Honda announced that it will make an effort to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles. It will provide FirstElement Fuel with $13.8 million in financial assistance to build additional hydrogen refueling stations throughout the state of California.

In fact, in July 2002 the original FCX became the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel-cell vehicle. Moreover, it was world’s first production fuel-cell vehicle introduced to the United States and Japan. In 2008 Honda was the first manufacturer to build a production fuel-cell vehicle. What is more, the company was also the first manufacturer to create a fuel-cell vehicle dealer network.

Source: Honda

December 18, 2014

Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle Shortlisted for New Car Honour

As it seems, Toyota has established the everyday use of hybrid cars thanks to its Prius models and has started integrating such principles to cars like the Auris and Yaris. Now the automotive manufacturer is climbing up the steps of development and is progressing with their FCV or, in other words, Fuel Cell Vehicle.

There is a slight difference when you compare the FCV to Toyota’s regular hybrids. Unlike the latter, the fuel cell vehicle does not have a combustion engine. Instead, it is packed with a fuel cell ‘stack’ which represents a chemical reaction where hydrogen is mixed with oxygen to produce electricity and water.

The hydrogen-powered car is has been shortlisted for the WhatCar? magazine and it is nominated for Reader Award for the most eagerly anticipated new model of 2015. What Car’s Reader Award is quite different from the other honours in terms of its annual presentation. The winner is determined by the vote of its readers and website visitors. Respectively, the result will be announced at the magazine’s car of the year
awards presentation which is going to be held on the 7^th of January next year.
Earlier this month Toyota’s fuel cell vehicle was shown with its production-ready design at the Paris motor show. During the next year, the car will be introduced in Europe, North America and Japan.

UK sales will start in summer 2015. Even though it is hard to say if this really could be the car of the future, one thing is known for sure. Toyota’s fuel cell vehicle will be a fascinating contribution to the market!

Source: Toyota

October 21, 2014

2015 Toyota Fuel Cell Sedan – Hydrogen is Here!

Toyota has today revealed the exterior design and the pricing of its hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Sedan. The Concept was presented at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and now the production version is fact. The four-door saloon will be introduced first in Japan, before next April. Preparations are in hand for launches in the US and European markets in the summer of 2015.

In Japan the Fuel Cell Sedan will be sold at Toyota and Toyopet dealerships, priced at approximately seven million yen (about $68,700 / €50,450 / £40,450). Initially sales will be limited to those parts of the country where a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is under development. Prices for Europe and the USA have not yet been decided. Detailed information such as final prices, specifications and sales expectations will also be announced later.

The exterior features interesting slender headlights with LED technology as well as vertical DRLs (daytime running lights) incorporated in the front bumper. There is also a big lower grille and large air intakes. Other highlights include strange triangular tail lights and a red bar that runs across the rear’s width and incorporates the reverse lights.

2015 Toyota Fuel Cell Sedan will have a range of around 480 km (300 miles). Once the fuel is depleted, a complete fill will take only around three minutes, which is a little longer than ordinary refueling, but not bad at all. The performance will be decent – 0-100 km/h in 10.0 seconds.

Fuel cell vehicles contribute to the diversification of vehicle fuels. They emit no carbon dioxide or substances harmful to the environment when driven, but offer the convenience associated with petrol-powered vehicles. Toyota believes the technology has great potential in the development of vehicles that are kinder to the environment and ideal for helping deliver sustainable mobility.

Source: Toyota

June 25, 2014

Toyota FCHV Handling The Polar Vortex

2014-Toyota-FCHV-cold-testing-shadow The Toyota FCV in the flesh. Well, not really. But it’s a report from the Toyota testing fleet on how things are going in everyday situations. Today, we get to see how the cars have handled the polar vortex: a weather phenomenon that has crippled most of the East Coast, but has also provided the ideal test ground for mechanical endurance.

Proton Onsite – a firm which operates a total of ten Toyota FCHV-adv fuel cell vehicles – claims that even single digit temperatures don’t affect the efficiency of the drivetrains:

“We had another snow storm Tuesday night and this morning the temperature was 3 degrees”, says Mark Schiller, Proton vice president of business development. “I went out to my Toyota FCHV-adv and brushed off a foot of snow before starting the car right up. No problem.”

When compared to a purely electric vehicle, the fuel cell car has the upper ground in terms of real-life application: an almost zero effect over the performance even in the harshest environments. Schiller claims to still get around 300 miles on a single tank

Apparently, over the last decade, the Toyota fuel cell fleet has logged millions of miles in some of the most extreme climates on the planet. From Yellowknife, Canada (temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius) to the Death Valley (severe heat), Toyota have tried them all.

There’s still a lot of testing to do, but in 2015 when FCHVs hit the road, it will all be worth it.

Source: Toyota

January 31, 2014

12 Months to Toyota FCV Production

Toyota-FCV-concept-medium

News from the future. The Toyota FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) is almost ready. The production model reveal is only 12 months away. Is this the beginning of the end of the hybrid car? Fingers crossed.

What’s wrong with hybrids you ask? Well, they are slow, unimaginative, their range never meets the expectations, their batteries are dependent on the weather, they take days to recharge, and, believe it or not, they are still sort of bad for the environment.

Hydrogen, on the other hand, is the most abundant chemical element in the universe and using it as fuel produces zero emissions. In order to make electricity, fuel-cells acquire oxygen from the environment and add hydrogen to make a chemical reaction which releases energy and a waste product known as water. Toyota engineers are adamant that you could go for about 500 miles on a single tank of hydrogen. Technically, on two tanks – the Toyota FCV actually has two 70 MegaPascal each. We don’t know why that’s relevant. There are no other certain figures, however, except an estimated system output of at least 100kW. Oh, and there’s the price – $108,00. Too much for a Camry you think? Would you consider plugging it in your electrical grid at home then? Because you can and a single charge can satisfy your needs for about a week. Also, it looks pretty amazing. We are especially fond of these LED indicators hidden within the fenders. It’s supposed to gave a “flowing liquid” door profile and a wave-motif fuel cap while the back end draws inspiration from the stem of a catamaran. Right.

Toyota are anticipating the widespread use of hydrogen fuels for cars to be common sometime in the 2020s. Because of the FCV, Toyota see themselves as pioneers, and while no one can take that away from them, we can’t neglect Honda’s audacious attempts to mull in the Honda Clarity. In any case, Toyota seems to be pretty serious about the technology. They are already developing fuel-cell buses, forklifts and other industrial vehicles. Greener days are to come if this trend keeps up.

Source: Toyota

November 20, 2013

Nissan Starts Vehicle Testing of New Fuel-cell Technology

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced today that it has started testing a vehicle with a next-generation fuel-cell stack. (more…)

February 25, 2009

Tag: FCV

How is electricity generated?