Honda's Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, Fuel Cell and EV

Honda announced the 2018 Clarity Plug-in Hybdrid earned the highest all-electric range rating among all midsize plug-in hybrids with its EPA range rating of 47 miles on a full charge¹. Launching at dealerships nationwide later this year, the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid also received an EPA fuel economy rating of 110 combined MPGe¹, among the top of its class, and a gasoline only 44/40/42 MPG rating (city/highway/combined)¹.

"We think the combination of a class-leading 47 miles of all-electric driving range rating and a large, luxurious 5-pasenger package will give us an advantage in the plug-in hybrid game," said Ray Mikiciuk, assistant vice president of Honda Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co. "The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid represents the dawn of a new era, setting the path to a new generation of Honda products that will bring electrified technology into the mainstream."

For longer trips, the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid can utilize its hyper-efficient 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine to generate electricity and, under certain conditions, to act as a direct power source, resulting in an overall EPA driving range rating of 340 miles.

The vehicle's electromotive power comes from a 181-horsepower electric motor producing 232 lb.-ft. of torque and drawing power from both the gasoline engine and a 17-kilowatt hour (kWh) battery pack with a recharge time of just 2.5 hours at 240 volts. The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid features three selectable modes – Normal, Econ and Sport – allowing drivers to customize their experience, maximizing efficiency or driving performance. A fourth mode – HV mode – is provided to maintain the battery's state of charge and can be selected in conjunction with Normal, Econ and Sport driving modes.

Expected to be the volume sales leader in the Clarity series lineup, the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid will be offered in two premium-contented trims, standard and Touring.

The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is part of Honda’s Clarity series, which includes the Clarity Fuel Cell, launched in December 2016, and the Clarity Electric, launched in August 2017. Clarity is a vehicle series offering customers an array of electrified powertrain choices in one sophisticated, spacious and comprehensively equipped five-passenger sedan, outfitted with premium, environmentally responsible materials.

Honda revealed its all-new Clarity Plug-in Hybrid and Clarity Electric alongside the already available Clarity Fuel Cell, saying it will target U.S. sales of 75,000 Clarity vehicles in the first four model years. The Clarity series will contribute to an anticipated five-fold increase in Honda's U.S. sales of electrified vehicles over the next four years as the company works toward its target that two-thirds of its global automobile sales will come from electrified vehicles by 2030.

The two all-new electrified Honda vehicles will join the Clarity Fuel Cell, launched in December 2016, to make Clarity the first ever vehicle series offering customers an expanded array of electrified vehicle choices with fuel cell, battery electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains wrapped in a sophisticated, spacious and comprehensively equipped five-passenger sedan.

"The Honda Clarity is aimed at accelerating the deployment of advanced electrified powertrain technology and bringing electrified vehicles further into the mainstream," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., at the company's press conference. "The Clarity series also heralds the advancement of our Honda Electrification Initiative, representing our investment in the full spectrum of electric-vehicle technologies."

Offering Honda's "fun-to-drive" DNA, each Clarity variant provides a smooth, quiet and highly refined driving experience, aided by the seamless character of electric drive torque and acceleration. The Clarity series also features advanced technologies, including Display Audio with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ integration, and the full suite of Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technologies.

The Clarity series is at the leading edge of the Honda Electrification Initiative, which includes the previously announced intention to have two-thirds of Honda's global automobile sales come from electrified vehicles by 2030.  This initiative includes a new dedicated hybrid car launching next year, an all-new Accord Hybrid, the Clarity series, and the expanded application of Honda's two-motor hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains to multiple car and light truck models in the future.

As the next progression of Honda's dynamic styling for electrified products, each Clarity variant has a low, wide aerodynamic body with unique design elements, including its own special hero color, and differentiated front styling, headlights, tail lamps and 18-inch alloy wheel designs. Combined with elegant and advanced exterior styling, each Clarity series vehicle has a spacious interior with comfortable seating for five adults, outfitted with premium, environmentally responsible materials.

With three different powertrains and luxury packaging, the Clarity series has wide appeal. This shared "3-in-1" platform strategy will enable Honda to respond to infrastructure and market developments, provide customers nationwide with an ultra-low carbon vehicle that meets their lifestyle needs, and takes Honda toward higher volume sales of advanced powertrain products that will help reduce CO₂ emissions.

The Clarity series is at the vanguard of Honda's commitment to address society's energy and environmental concerns as the company expects significant growth in sales of efficient, lower CO₂ electrified vehicles. Honda has previously announced plans to introduce a dedicated new hybrid car to the U.S. market in 2018. The new Honda hybrid car will be made in America.

.

The 2017 Honda Clarity Electric is geared toward consumers who desire a spacious, comfortable and affordable sedan that suits their daily driving needs. The Clarity Electric is powered by a 161-horsepower (120-kilowatt) electric motor producing 221 lb.-ft. of torque and drawing power from a 25.5-kWh battery pack. The vehicle can be fully charged in just over three hours at 240 volts, and when using DC fast charging with the SAE Combined Charging System can achieve an 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes.

The model is anticipated to have an anticipated EPA fuel economy rating of 120/102/111 MPGe (city/highway/combined)². Like the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, the Clarity Electric features three selectable driving modes – Normal, Econ and Sport. The Clarity Electric will launch later this year, starting with an attractive lease program in California and Oregon.

At 366 miles, the Clarity Fuel Cell has the highest EPA driving range rating of any zero-emission vehicle in America, including fuel cell and battery electric vehicles, and an EPA fuel economy rating of 68 MPGe³ combined. The Clarity Fuel Cell is available for the competitive introductory lease price of $369 a month for 36 months with $2,868 due at signing⁴. The lease terms include an attractive mileage allowance of 20,000 miles per year, up to $15,000 of hydrogen fuel, up to 21 days of an Avis Luxury Rental in California, 24/7 roadside assistance, and eligibility for California "White Sticker" single occupant HOV access. Lessees can also apply for the State of California $5,000 rebate⁵. The Clarity Fuel Cell is available in three colors: Bordeaux Red Metallic, White Orchid Pearl and Crystal Black Pearl.

About Honda

Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport/utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 34 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2016, more than 95 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

For decades, hydrogen cars were not widely understood. Today numerous companies have vehicles that run on renewable Hydrogen. Honda is on its way to proving that fuel cells can look and feel like typical automobiles.

Honda introduced the FCX, the world’s first production fuel cell vehicle, in 2002 and began leasing the model to a few individual retail customers in 2005. The FCX Clarity was next in line, available beginning in 2008. When it was discontinued in 2014, Hyundai was bringing out its Tuscon Fuel Cell and Toyota was ready to launch its own  hydrogen car, the Mirai. The Clarity’s second generation of the new models were delivered to customers in December. A few dozen hydrogen stations now span across California, all the way from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area. Infrastructure is a major concern for those who wish to lease (own) one of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. It is great that Hydrogen powered vehicles are more efficient and use fewer parts. A lot of positive advantages to fuel cells but fueling up with hydrogen is a real problem. If the infrastructure can be solved many buyers/lease or share customers will be attracted to them.

Open the doors of the Clarity and you’ll get a sense of familiarity in Honda’s infotainment system, electronic push-button gearshift, seat materials, and instrumentation. Inside the Clairty has some nice touches include the Suede accents adorn the doors and dashboard, and a floating center console opens up plenty of potential storage space between the front seats. The Clarity rear seat is more spacious than the Mirai. The Toyota is a four seater while Honda’s Claity seats five.  

No doubt there are advantages to the Fuel Cell vehicles. However, not as simple to regenerate the fuel. Infrastructure as I stated before is not where it needs to be.  EV’s are where Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Volvo , Hyundai, Toyota, Mercedes, BMW-MINI, Audi, VW, and others including Dyson are putting their efforts.

BRUCE HUBBARD

BONNIE LYNCH

BRADLEY HUBBARD

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP