Tag: hydrogen fuel cell

Why Honda’s 2025 CR-V Hydrogen Electric e:FCEV Target’s California Big City Commuters Only

American made 2025 CR-V e:FCEV is Honda’s latest quest to mainstream hydrogen – electric. But there’s a catch… You may never see one on the road.

Photo attributions: American Honda Motors 2024.

As one of the few drivers who’s experience hydrogen fuel cell electric generated torgue from behind the wheel, American Honda Motor’s latest venture into hydrogen fueled cars caught my attention.

2025 CR-V e:FCEV presents plug-in hybrid technology with an interesting twist; no gasoline required. Which is all good, if one can locate a liquified hydrogen fuel source.

2017 Honda Clarity FCEV set the benchmark for hydrogen-electric. What happened?

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Honda Clarity Fuel Cell captures market interest in 2017.

Clarity FCEV, a perfect hydrogen fuel cell car with little to no fueling infrastructure

Since the discontinuation of Clarity, the situation hasn’t changed much in 7 years. Despite the combined efforts of Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi, as well as California State funding, the number of public access liquid hydrogen fueling stations (only) increased from 18 to 55, in California. Imagine that!

While Honda’s latest CR-V offering claims a 270 mile EPA rating between fillups, there’s no long-range hydrogen-only fueling opportunity; for the brave few lessees of Honda’s latest and greatest hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

And, while 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV does feature the convenience of plug in electric-only drive, range remains below 30 miles on a single charge under ideal driving and weather conditions.

24 Years in the making, Honda’s latest FCEV to be limited to 2000 California only units.

once again, Honda takes a cautious, ‘let’s see what happens’ approach to rolling out the latest FCEV offering. Featuring Honda’s second generation FCEV platform and a made in America fuel cell generator designed in partnership with General Motors, Honda will eventually lease 2000 HOV complient units to the Southern California market. That’s a start, I suppose. * Shades of Clarity.

What are your thoughts? Honda is reading

I’d like to read from you. Would you buy or lease a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle if the fueling infrastructure was expanded?

Honda heads to New York with 2017 Clarity electric car trio

 

 

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2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. Photo Attributions Parks McCants 2017

It’s good to have choices, and that’s what Honda offers discerning auto industry insiders and consumers at 2017 N.Y.I.A.S. This week in New York City,  Honda debuts a trio of 2017 Clarity electric cars, more electrification choices than any other mainstream auto manufacturer on the planet.

With great buzz surrounding the showing of the first Type-R to wear the Honda label in New York, as well as the Civic Si duo, a bit of air may be let out of the bag that is the advancement of Honda electrification.

Currently, as reported by yours truly at Honda-Torque News, 2017 Clarity currently drives the streets of California as a lease-only hydrogen fuel cell generated stand alone electric car.  I recently drove Clarity FCV on the streets of Santa Barbara. Loved it!

Clarity FCV, BEV or plug in hybrid

Honda public relations tells us that they anticipate the 5-passenger 4-door 2017 Clarity plug-in hybrid sedan to be the best seller in this trio. With internal combustion charge-co generation, and extended plug-in electric only drive range (estimated 40 + miles,) Sedan or not, 2017 Clarity hybrid electric will be a Honda market sales leader.

Clarity BEV panned for 80 mile between charge drive range 

The two electric drive range extremes in the 2017 Clarity lineup is the 360 miles driven between 3-minute hydrogen refueling stop, and the stated 80 miles in-city drive range of the Clarity battery electric. Honda claims that previous Fit EV leasees have no problem with Clarity BEV range. Could be, I’ve yet to speak with a Fit electric fan.

As the market transitions back to large SUVs

There’s more than just a slight undercurrent sweeping a quickly transitioning auto market away from fuel efficient, sub compacts, compacts, and yes, entry level electric cars and crossovers. Although a slight uptick in electric vehicle sales was recorded in 2016, the general trend is consumers opting for gasoline motivated, relatively thirsty, premium or luxury SUVs. The bigger the better. Non the less, Honda takes the long view while embracing the sustainable future of auto-electrification.

2017 Acura MDX hybrid and more

We recently drove 2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid and walked away smiling, despite a torrential downpour.  Honda talks of adapting the Clarity platform for light truck duty,perhaps Honda fans will see a hybrid Pilot in the not too distant future, perhaps.