Honda has handed over a Clarity fuel cell vehicle to Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve in Germany, where it will be used for a year as a cooperation and test vehicle.

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell offers a sedan layout for five occupants and a generous interior space, since the entire drivetrain is placed in the engine compartment. With a total capacity of around five kilograms of hydrogen, the vehicle can, according to internal Honda test data, achieve a range of up to 650 km (404 miles) (NEDC - New European Driving Cycle). The power of the drive motor is 174 hp (130 kW), the maximum torque at 300 N·m.

Honda is participating in projects throughout Europe with a “Clarity Fuel Cell” fleet in order to test fuel cell technology and the day-to-day suitability of vehicles and to increase the number of hydrogen filling stations nationwide. The loan is part of the EU project H2ME 2 (Hydrogen Mobility Europe 2), which aims at promoting the hydrogen mobility and the provision of fuel cell vehicles in Europe to the goal.

The Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve was recognized as an UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve by the World Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) in 2000. The 310 km² protected area lies between the urban centers of Hamburg, Lübeck and Schwerin. The 24 km² Schaalsee is the centerpiece of the biosphere reserve.

The concept of biosphere reserves explores how biodiversity protection, the pursuit of economic and social development and the preservation of cultural values ​​can be reconciled. Conventional nature conservation is part of the overall task, which also includes economic, cultural and social aspects. Biosphere reserves are model regions for pilot projects, for viable ideas and visions.

This project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking under Grant Agreement Nºs 671438 and 700350. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe research.