Clarity Fuel Cell

T

TeslaInvestors

Active Member
Just received my 2018 Clarity Fuel cell 6-7 months ahead of time as someone dropped out.
It's a beautiful car, the longest range EV on the planet!
The charge rate blew my skull right out of my mind! Or whatever it is called! It was like 60 miles a minute.
I was afraid it will not be as brisk as my electric car as the car is quite heavy. Boy was I wrong! It accelerates really fast and can do it at highway speeds too! I had never seen or test driven it before. I just drove it for 2 minutes and was sold right away!
I even named the car "Clara" like the Tesla fanboys! Nah, just kidding :) We just call it "the new car" till it gets old :)
So far, I'm quite happy with the long range. Bye bye my daily charging station visits 2-4 times a day!
Mirai is now in real trouble. Toyota, up your game now on Mirai!

Range: 366 EPA miles vs. Mirai's 312 miles
Dashboard: Full digital instrument panel, PLUS HUD with speed, nav and other info display. Did I hear Model 3 fans just start crying in disbelief, or am I growing delusional? PUUS "integrated" center console.
Loaded with safety features.
Bordeaux red color at no extra cost.
Back seat: Proper 3 passenger seating, vs, a rear passenger console as in MIrai
Legroom in the back: Way better than Mirai's cramped back seats.

Overall, I'm very happy. Only thing I miss (if I am not mistaken) is the lumbar support adjustment. I will have to see if it's buried somewhere.

Driving to the future!
 
I wonder how solid that 366 miles is, or does it fluctuate wildly depending on circumstances like ev's do? I have never heard anyone complain about that with a fc vehicle, but the sample size is pretty small.
 
I picked mine too over the weekend. Looks like "someone dropped out" is the story being handed out. People can't all be dropping out within the same week across different dealerships.

I agree with you regarding the car. It is an amazing combination of quick acceleration, refined ride, and upscale interior. All with zero emissions. One thing I noticed is I am getting about 300 miles, not the advertised 366 miles. I'll have to do a few refills while monitoring how much fuel is being put in to get an accurate number.
 
300 miles is great as long as you’re in Cali., but can you make it across the US? Those H2 stations are few and far between outside of California.
 
They include 21 days of free Avis car rentals in the 3 year lease since the car is tethered to the limited area of the stations. Looks like you don't have the range to leave the state except for Reno. Las Vegas is out of range.
 
slowjet said:
I picked mine too over the weekend. Looks like "someone dropped out" is the story being handed out. People can't all be dropping out within the same week across different dealerships.

I agree with you regarding the car. It is an amazing combination of quick acceleration, refined ride, and upscale interior. All with zero emissions. One thing I noticed is I am getting about 300 miles, not the advertised 366 miles. I'll have to do a few refills while monitoring how much fuel is being put in to get an accurate number.
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Yes, right. The dealership guy said, shipments were down for a while. Now new 2018 models are coming in. Another person who came in during my initial fill up had the same car as me but a 2017 model. He got it two weeks ago from same dealership and said, he waited a year.
My guess is, some are dropping out or moving to other dealerships where lines may be shorter. Or finding some other choice. There are way too many green car choices nowadays.
I'm just trying to support the Hydrogen experiment. If it turns out to be a dead end, then I'm glad to have driven a hydrogen car. Only 1% people on the planet even have a choice to drive one :)
The cost of hydrogen remains worrisome. Hopefully it does come down someday.
 
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loomis2 said:
I wonder how solid that 366 miles is, or does it fluctuate wildly depending on circumstances like ev's do? I have never heard anyone complain about that with a fc vehicle, but the sample size is pretty small.
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Agree, I have my doubts too. On first fill up, it only showed 250 miles. I asked the dealer rep. He said it will improve. Now, after 120 miles, it shows ~183. Will have to wait and see if it is really 366 miles or not.
I'm hoping I get at least 300 miles. Otherwise, I will feel cheated :( I can't really claim anything, since Honda is paying for the gas (H2).

Another benefit against Mirai: 20k miles annual limit vs. 12k miles. I think, I may actually hit close to it. All for $20 a month more. I don't know if I should feel bad for Honda. But I'm there free volunteer

I'll also report back on the range loss after I pass the winter. But the winters in California are pretty mild, so not clear if I can conclude anything from my experience.
 
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KentuckyKen said:
300 miles is great as long as you’re in Cali., but can you make it across the US? Those H2 stations are few and far between outside of California.
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This car is surely not for cross country road trips. You either fly or take the free rental.
Also, the trunk has limited capacity due to the tank in the middle. As a commuter car or travel within Califrnia without too much worry about recharging time/range, it's perfect (among ZEV cars).
Cheers!
 
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TeslaInvestors said:
I'm just trying to support the Hydrogen experiment. If it turns out to be a dead end, then I'm glad to have driven a hydrogen car. Only 1% people on the planet even have a choice to drive one :)
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I like the way you think. I probably would have done it, too, if I thought I could pull it off. If for no other reason than to say I did it.
 
This is the first 2018 FCEV Clarity that I've heard being sold. Congrats! Do you know of any differences between the model years?

I really wanted to get a Fuel Cell vehicle. I've been waiting for more H2 stations around my home/work since the original FCX Clarity. Unfortunately, all the planned stations near me failed to come to fruition, such that there was only 1 station within a 35 mile radius until just a couple weeks ago. Also, hearing of all the H2 supply issues in a number of So Cal stations recently has been concerning to me in terms of the future viability of the H2 infrastructure. Growing pains, to be sure.

EDIT: Our nickname for our car is ÉClair
 
Kendalf said:
This is the first 2018 FCEV Clarity that I've heard being sold. Congrats! Do you know of any differences between the model years?

I really wanted to get a Fuel Cell vehicle. I've been waiting for more H2 stations around my home/work since the original FCX Clarity. Unfortunately, all the planned stations near me failed to come to fruition, such that there was only 1 station within a 35 mile radius until just a couple weeks ago. Also, hearing of all the H2 supply issues in a number of So Cal stations recently has been concerning to me in terms of the future viability of the H2 infrastructure. Growing pains, to be sure.

EDIT: Our nickname for our car is ÉClair
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The dealer rep said, no difference between 2017 & 2018 Clarity FCEV. I can't see any difference browsing through their tutorials.
http://www.hondatechtutor.com/clarity/clarity-fuel-cell

One issue is that the 2018 is so new, it's not listed on cleanvehiclerebate.org yet. I called, and they said they are working on adding it "soon".

If the H2 stations are too far and not along your commute route. you will probably not qualify for the lease.
I'm lucky enough to have one on my commute route and another within 2 miles of my work. Another 2 within 10 miles.
When I was getting my first free fill up from dealer, there was a Mirai filling up, then I filled mine, then the other 2017 Clarity that was waiting. I didn't experience any issue filling the empty tank (how it came from Japan) right after the Mirai, except occasionally the pump will shut off and then restart again. Probably took 5-6 minutes total. Also, the Mirai driver said, she never had any issues in a year. I 'm hoping it stays that way :)
 
TeslaInvestors said:
If the H2 stations are too far and not along your commute route. you will probably not qualify for the lease.
I'm lucky enough to have one on my commute route and another within 2 miles of my work. Another 2 within 10 miles.
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I did pre-qualify for the lease, as there was one station within the required radius. But depending on one single fuel source for a daily commuter vehicle just wasn't feasible, plus the fact that the station itself requires a 20 minute detour out of my normal commute route to get to. Sounds like you're in a nearly ideal location for an FCV!
 
bigbug said:
Sounds interesting. Can you show a picture of the HUD?
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The picture is below. It shows the speed and navigation directions. Very bright and clear. The position of the display can be adjusted to account for different driver heights.
f8UsPUr.jpg

nSXllvO
 
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slowjet said:
The picture is below. It shows the speed and navigation directions. Very bright and clear. The position of the display can be adjusted to account for different driver heights.
Click to expand...

I can see this coming in the 2019 PHEV touring model. If they can add HUD, parking sensors, blind spot monitor, lumbar support, and accord like center display, Clarity will become the best car ever!
 
OK, I am NOT happy with this thread!

I had gotten over our Canadian friends having a battery heater and a wiper fluid low level indicator, but this....
You FC drivers having a HUD, have now made me green with envy. I went to the video and it only made me more envious. I want one so bad!
 
IMG_20180420_195253628.webp

Filled up first time today. Tried late evening around 8 p.m to avoid the evening rush.
The station got empty, so a truck was there re-filling the station while I backed in carefully. The station was also super busy with other gas cars clogging up the area.
Lesson learned. Avoid Friday evenings.

First fill up was on dealer. After the first fill up, car showed 250 mile range.
Today @214 mile ODO, on fill up of 3.263 kg, car showed 298 miles (was ~100 miles left).
Let's see if it gets to > 310. miles at next fill up.

But the process is really easy; just like refueling a gas car. Probably 2-3 minutes to fill 3.23 kg, while I checked out the really cold hydrogen pipe coming out of the pump.
The trucker said, he is coming there everyday to refill. Comes when the station calls, if H2 is low.
 
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