Honda sabotaging its own FCX Clarity?
Click above for more shots of the Honda FCX Clarity
Hold on to your hats and get ready for two conspiracy theories regarding two of Honda's green car projects. That's right, and they both come from the same source, a man named Edwin Black. While the first theory questioning Honda's true green allegiances revolved the compressed natural gas-powered Civic GX, the second involves the hydrogen-fueled FCX Clarity. While highlighting all of the Clarity's best points, including the fact that it uses zero petroleum while running, Mr. Black questions why Honda doesn't offer its hydrogen-car in more markets. Black throws Honda's own reasoning - that there aren't enough refueling stations - out the window. He reasons that the automaker held back its Home Energy Center, which reforms natural gas into hydrogen right in your garage.
Why would Honda sabotage its own hydrogen car? As Black sees it, the project was scaled back so that Honda could continue offering fuel-guzzling SUVs and trucks... and the S2000 roadster. Sorry, but we're not buying this argument. Just like Black's last assertion regarding the Civic GX, a huge number of details are left out in an effort to place all the blame solely on Honda. For instance, how much does it cost to create the FCX Clarity? We're not sure, but even at the current lease rate of $600 per month, the automaker is losing lots of money. Plus, the home refueling station would add a significant chunk again. We could think of more reasons why Black's a bit off, but suffice it to say that we don't agree. Thoughts?
Gallery: 2009 Honda FCX Clarity First drive
[Source: Edwin Black / The Auto Channel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
why not the LS2LS7? 9:45AM (10/10/2008)
I'm not real juiced on running the FCX on natural gas. Why go through all the trouble of steam reformation and a fuel cell vehicle when we can just burn the natural gas directly? Especially when the CO2 figures are so poor on steam reformation (an FCX reportedly would have CO2 emissions higher than a Prius when run on steam reformed natural gas).
If Honda is playing down the FCX it's probably more for logisitical reasons (it's very expensive to make and doesn't present a strong consumer advantage right now) than so they can sell trucks.
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rob 10:23AM (10/10/2008)
Honda is pretty methodical in their approach. They are limiting the FCX because they would rather gather long term data on reliability and fine tuning of the system on a limited run. Take the hit on a small number of vehicles before the big rollout.
I don't think it's fair to consider the Home Energy Center to be the be all/end all for the hydrogen source. It's more like the bridge until the infrastructure is ready. If the local college here were to make their hydrogen station open to the public, I would be prefectly ok with not having the Home Energy Center to do that. Over time, the market will begin generating and transporting hydrogen in the most desireable manner.
Mulad 9:49AM (10/10/2008)
I agree with the idea that the FCX is way too expensive for Honda to lease it in any more markets.
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Bill 10:05AM (10/10/2008)
The article is a little missleading. First, The Clarity can only be serviced at Honda's Torrence facility hence the three county rule. Second, the Home Energy Station is not available in the United states because the Federal government will not liscence it for sale here. If we the people argue for the federal government to release their restriction, due to storage in a home tank, then more people could get that unit that heats your home, heats your hot water, provides up to 5k of electricity and reformes natural gas for use in your fuel cell. Hmmm... maybe that's why the feds have banned it, too many special interest groups getting stepped on!
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Chris M 1:03AM (10/12/2008)
Honda is only leasing a handful of FCX Clarities in the few locales where H2 refueling is available - that is 3 counties. The leases are heavily subsidized by the government, but there isn't enough subsidies for more than a few cars.
The "home energy station" doesn't require a license to install, no more so than a water heater or generator would, it just needs connections to the natural gas line, water lines, and electricity. The $50,000 price is sufficient to discourage sales, especially with the extremely limited availability of H2 fueled cars.
Kevin 10:14AM (10/10/2008)
To say that the FCX isn't being more widely offered because "the project was scaled back so that Honda could continue offering fuel-guzzling SUVs and trucks... and the S2000 roadster" is about as big a boneheaded statement as could be made. Those are three vehicles aimed at ENTIRELY different consumer segments. A person at a Honda dealer to buy an S2000 is never going to suddenly change his mind and buy a Clarity instead.
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BoneHeadOtto 11:18AM (10/10/2008)
Indeed!
Gary 1:23PM (10/13/2008)
I think the author is going tongue-in-cheek and is comparing the Honda to "evil" GM that killed the EV1 which was also avilable in limited markets. Conspiracy theorists claim that the impractical/unprofitable EV1 was dropped because GM wanted to make more profitable traditional gas burners.
It's the same with Honda, since it isn't financially feasble to assemble and warrant/service a limited range niche car for such small markets along with non-existent fueling infrastructure for long road trips.
JamesWB 10:43AM (10/10/2008)
Perhaps it's because the hydrogen economy is a total scam?
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Trev 10:58AM (10/10/2008)
it makes little sense right now, and i certainly think battery tech is the better option right now, but with consistent advancement the quick refueling of hydrogen may make it viable, if not as a replacement for BEVs then as a range extender for them.
JamesWB 1:28PM (10/10/2008)
Sorry Trev, it will always be a scam. It will always take more energy to created the H2 than you will get from burning it or using it in a fuel cell, it's the laws of thermodynamics.
Gordio 11:24AM (10/10/2008)
That home center thing probably cannot get enough hydrogen. Hydrogen is only a small component of natural gas
In addition, leasing a $1,000,000 car for 600$ a month means honda is operating at a loss.
His GX theory is a little harder to argue. The biggest argument why it's not true: it's thought up by the same guy as this FCX theory
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Chris M 1:12AM (10/12/2008)
H2 is not a component of natural gas, but CH4 is. The "Home energy station" reacts natural gas with water to form hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Reaction is 1 CH4 + 2 H20 = 4 H2 + 1 CO2
Of course, the $50,000 price tag for the "home energy station" stifles sales a lot!
The leases are highly subsidized, but the subsidies are only enough for a few cars. There is no conspiracy, just not enough funds for a very expensive car.
Turbofrog 12:00PM (10/10/2008)
I see fuel cells being used extensively in the future.
Just not in cars.
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giyad 12:03PM (10/10/2008)
Didn't Honda say it was going to release it in Japan as well? I think they need to start somewhere, they can't just offer it in 50 markets fresh off the production line...
In response to the Home Energy Station, come on... how many people can afford them, and how many people have garages. Its a new technology man, that they have spent billions on. Maybe they are holding back just a little, but I don't blame them for being cautious.
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Isellbeachhomes 12:50PM (10/10/2008)
I think another problem is the storage tanks for this Hydrogen. These tanks will need to be replaced within 2 years. which could be costly. IMO, that is another problem they are faced with at this point.
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gorr 1:07PM (10/10/2008)
It's not honda that is sabotaging the fcx and the home refueling station, it's the law-makers that organise energy policies. Honda is trying like mad to satisfy his customers and have to fight behing close doors with many confusing peoples. They successfully created a car that move forward without diesel or gasoline and they can sell you a hydrogen making machine. The rest is in imcompetant hands. They wont invest too much if they feel that big money and law can invent boggling things like batteries or non-conformity for their home refueling stations.
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BillySharps 1:24PM (10/10/2008)
You are stupid. I'm sorry, but you are just stupid and ignorant.
Chris M 1:48AM (10/12/2008)
Don't blame the law-makers, they have been supporting H2 fuel cell cars ever since Bush jr. started his "hydrogen initiative", they have worked to eliminate any legal roadblocks, creating reasonable standards, and supplying billions in subsidies. In fact, without the billions in government subsidies, there wouldn't be any H2 prototypes on the road, and no FCX Clarity, either.
No, the real reasons that H2 FC cars are not available except for a few government subsidized leases is that they are million dollar cars with limited range, modest performance, and there are very few refueling locations for the costly H2 fuel.
As for the "Home Energy Station", have you got a spare $50,000 to buy one? I don't.
Jack H 1:55AM (10/12/2008)
gorr...Would you please check your meds? You are incoherent and ranting about the silliest conspiracy crap I believe I've ever heard.
If you've got a million dollars for a fuel cell go buy one. Honda will sell it to you. Quit looking for a boogeyman to blame for all the worlds problems. Sometimes things just don't work and nobody is trying to secretly kill them. It's expensive dude....VERY expensive.