Good news coming from Detroit this morning. Honda came to its senses and officially confirmed that the Clarity, which until now was only a fuel cell car, will be offered with two new powertrains, all-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), as soon as next year.
The two new vehicles will be appropriately named: Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. The automaker appears to be hedging its bet on hydrogen with some battery-powered vehicles.
Honda shared only a few details about the two new variant of the Clarity. It didn’t announce the electric range of the BEV version, but it did claim that the PHEV will have an all-electric range of over 40 miles, which if true would be pretty good for a midsize plug-in hybrid sedan.
No pricing has been announced for either of the electric versions yet and as for the Clarity Fuel Cell, as it is often the case with fuel cell cars, it will only be offered for lease at an estimated $500 per month.
The fuel cell version will launch in the US in “late 2016”, followed by the BEV in “2017”, and by the PHEV “later in 2017”. The language used by Honda to talk about the availability of the vehicle is vague. While it clearly says that the PHEV version will be available in all 50 states, it is not as clear for the two other versions. I wouldn’t be surprised if they both end up as compliance cars to fulfill mandates in only a few CARB state.
Here are a few pictures and the full press release below:
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- Honda Clarity Fuel Cell
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- Honda Clarity Fuel Cell
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- Honda Clarity Fuel Cell
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- Honda Clarity Fuel Cell
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- Honda Clarity Fuel Cell
Full press release:
Honda Takes Bold Step with Honda Clarity Series; Fuel Cell, Battery Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Variants to Leverage Common Platform
– Clarity Fuel Cell gets two electrified siblings — the Clarity Electric and the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid — both launching in 2017
– New trio of Clarity vehicles provide unparalleled choices to customers through three different electric powertrain options
– All Clarity vehicles will offer spacious, five-passenger seating, premium features and interior appointments; consumers can learn more at http://www.automobiles.honda.com/Clarity
DETROIT, April 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Honda today announced that the upcoming Clarity Fuel Cell will be joined by two additional variants, the Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, launching in the U.S. in 2017. The addition of two new Clarity vehicles, based on the same platform underpinning the new Clarity Fuel Cell, makes Clarity the first vehicle in the industry to offer fuel cell, electric and plug-in hybrid technology on one model platform, offering Honda customers an expanded array of electrified vehicle choices to suit their individual tastes and driving needs.
Following the U.S. launch of the Clarity Fuel Cell in late 2016, the Clarity Electric will go on-sale in 2017. The Clarity Electric will be the first affordable, midsize, five-passenger battery electric vehicle (BEV) to offer premium content and features. The third vehicle in the Clarity series, the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, will launch in all 50 states later in 2017 and will be the volume leader in the series, seamlessly combining an all-electric driving range in excess of 40 miles with a hyper-efficient gasoline-hybrid extended range mode.
With elegant exterior styling, the Clarity series of vehicles will also offer spacious interiors outfitted with premium, environmentally-responsible materials and thoughtful, stylish design cues. The Clarity series will also feature advanced technologies, including Display Audio with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ as well as standard Honda Sensing™ safety and driver-assistive technology.
“The Honda Clarity Series will provide customers with a well-equipped, premium, midsize vehicle with range of ultra low-carbon powertrain options to suit their lifestyle needs,” said John Mendel, executive vice president, Automobile Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “This Honda trio of dedicated, advanced technology vehicles, along with the expanded application of two- and three-motor hybrid systems to our core models, represents a strong commitment to Honda’s future and will help create a new volume pillar for electrified vehicle sales.”
All of the Clarity models will leverage the platform that has enabled the Clarity Fuel Cell’s low, wide and aerodynamic proportions and spacious five-passenger cabin. This shared platform strategy also enables flexibility in responding to infrastructure and market developments, and the ability to provide customers nationwide with an ultra-low carbon vehicle that meets their lifestyle needs while expanding the market for Honda advanced technology products. The first of the Clarity Series to launch will be the Clarity Fuel Cell, Honda’s most technologically advanced vehicle ever, slated to begin deliveries to customers in select Californiamarkets in late 2016. The Clarity Fuel Cell will have a targeted monthly lease price of under $500.
Technological innovations to the Clarity Fuel Cell include a fuel cell stack that is 33 percent more compact than its predecessor with a 60 percent increase in power density compared to the outgoing Honda FCX Clarity. The more compact fuel cell and integrated powertrain, comparable in size to a V-6 engine, now fit entirely under the hood of the car, allowing for a more spacious cabin with seating for five adult passengers. The new Clarity Fuel Cell will feature an anticipated U.S. EPA driving range in excess of 300 miles, with a refueling time of approximately three to five minutes, roughly equivalent to customers’ experience with gasoline refueling.
In addition to the Clarity series, a reengineered 2017 Accord Hybrid will go on-sale this spring, delivering both top-of-class power and fuel efficiency in a midsize hybrid sedan, as Honda seeks to grow sales of electrified vehicles – hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. On a global basis, Honda is aiming to have electrified vehicles account for two-thirds of its vehicles sales around 2030.
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It seems Honda really wants to comptete in the PHEV segment (Volt class). It also seems they will build a BEV version of the clarity, but as the author says, it will propably be only a compliance car; better than nothing though. You’re almost there Honda! (sarcasm)
With the continuing developments in battery technology, Honda should expand their future manufacturing knowledge about EVs to Motorbikes and Quad bikes, that’s a huge untapped market currently.
Indeed. I’d buy an electric motorcycle with fast charging capability tommorow if it was available. 🙂
Zero or Lighting does not offer fast charging? 🙂 But yea, that could be bit expensive…
http://lightningmotorcycle.com/product/specifications/
Good news, Energica Ego does offer fast-charging (CCS) and they’re in production now. 1 minute of charge = 5 km range, presumably at city speeds.
http://www.energicasuperbike.com/energica-ego-electric-superbike/
It’s a little expensive though.
@František Zero offered a CHAdeMO inlet for 2013, but many installed quick chargers had a lower limit of 200V and could not charge the ~100V Zero bikes. They removed this option after 2013.
There’s an AC quick charger option for the Zeros now that can charge at 8-10 kW normally, but the developer is testing it at up to 14 kW .. close to the same quick charge rate used by the Energica Ego!
http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=5040.msg42019#msg42019
Lightning claims a 30 minute DC fast charge, but it’s unclear what standard they are using.
Will they offer a version that isn’t so ugly?
They’re planning on 2/3 by 2030? Really? It’s always sad when your plan is to be such a severe underachiever. Plans never work out as well as you hope they will. It sounds to me like Honda is planning on simply laying down in their grave.
By 2025, I expect every new car sale will be EV. If you’re planning on making any new car engines after that year, you’re wasting your resources.
You should see the oil companies’ estimates. 1/3 by 2040!
… So funny to see a lot of these big auto manufacturers, after the announcement (and marketing success) of Tes’a Model 3, multiplying their efforts to get out their own “real” and “powerful” and “interesting” electric vehicles.
Seems that Elon Musk’s hope of “shaking the industry” is already working… and that is good news for every one of us!!
And very far of being an expert, I believe we are finally at a point of no return where electric vehicles are seriously considered by both the car industry AND the general public.
I admit being one of Tesla’s Model 3 “fanclub”, and hope that Elon Musk will be able to deliver!!
And always will be a fan of anyone who is able to go out there and provoque positive change… wathever the result may be!
Good luck Elon Musk, you have my vote! 😉
Luc Poitras
The first letter in CARB stands for California. “…in only a few CARB state.” ????
there are 9 states that have adopted Califoria Air resources board standards re: pollution
Which states?
Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey , New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. courtesy a really easy google search. try it someday, and be amazed!
Look’s like a redesigned Insight with a Acura front. keep it up HoMoCo, and bring back a 150-200 mile Fit EV!!
..and make it so you can actually BUY the Honda Fit EV.
I hate lease only vehicles. its weak and lazy on the side of the Manufacturers
Another puke-inducing design. Why are they so awful?
How many places can you refuel a Clarity FCX? Is there a string of stations somewhere? I know where to refuel a BEV. My garage!
Air gas and welding supply. you’ll need an adapter tank though to hold the H1
Finally some common sense from an automaker!
Holy smokes that car is ugly!