The Autel AP200 diagnostic scanner, a budget-friendly tool for car enthusiasts, has shown promising results in accessing key electric powertrain data, specifically battery capacity, in the Honda Clarity. This breakthrough comes thanks to an Autel Firmware Beta (V2.01.54) developed for the Honda software within the AP200. This article details the journey towards this solution and what it means for Clarity owners.
The Need for Accessible Battery Data
Honda Clarity owners have long sought a way to independently monitor their vehicle’s high-voltage (HV) battery capacity. This information is crucial for tracking battery health, anticipating potential warranty claims (capacity degradation below 2/3 of the original 55 amp-hours triggers warranty coverage), and understanding overall vehicle performance. Previously, obtaining this data required a costly trip to a Honda dealership. While professional-grade Autel scanners offered this capability, their high price tag deterred most owners. The more affordable AP200 initially lacked the necessary software to access this critical data point.
Collaboration with Autel Engineering Yields Results
Persistent communication with Autel technical support, spanning over a year, finally yielded a positive outcome. After repeated requests for a software update to address the Clarity’s data accessibility issue, the engineering team at Autel took notice. They collaborated with Clarity owners, providing a beta version of the Honda software (V2.01.54) for testing. This beta firmware successfully unlocked access to the Electric Powertrain data within the AP200, including the coveted battery capacity reading. This marks a significant victory for Clarity owners, empowering them with the ability to monitor this essential parameter without dealer reliance.
Autel AP200 Firmware Beta: Future Availability
The successful beta testing of the Honda V2.01.54 firmware paves the way for its inclusion in the next official AP200 software release, anticipated in Q1 2021. While this specific beta version isn’t publicly available yet, the demonstrated functionality confirms that access to the Clarity’s Electric Powertrain data will soon be within reach for all AP200 users.
Beyond the AP200: Exploring Other Autel Options
While the AP200’s success is confirmed, Autel has since introduced other similar products: the AP200C, AP200H, and AP200M. These newer models offer varying levels of vehicle brand coverage and advanced diagnostic features. Though unconfirmed, it’s likely these versions will also support the enhanced Honda software and provide access to Clarity battery data. Further confirmation from Autel is awaited.
Conclusion: Empowering Clarity Owners with Data
The Autel firmware beta represents a significant step towards empowering Honda Clarity owners with readily accessible battery data. This development eliminates the reliance on dealerships for crucial information, enabling proactive monitoring of battery health and informed decision-making regarding warranty claims and vehicle maintenance. The upcoming official release of the updated firmware promises to make this valuable data readily available to a wider audience of Clarity owners.
