One of the most cutting-edge cars in the Honda lineup is the Clarity Fuel Cell. Sadly, the model was dropped by the manufacturer in August 2021. Through the 2022 model year, it’s still accessible as a leasing option. It is beneficial to know that Honda offers up to $15,000 worth of hydrogen fuel with a lease agreement, according to its website.
Selling this Clarity Fuel Cell was challenging because it could only be done in California, the only state with the necessary infrastructure to refuel the vehicle. The Honda sells about 1,000 units annually, whereas the Toyota Mirai sells about 1,500.
Honda made the decision to discontinue its fuel cell vehicle in order to make room for the battery-electric vehicles it plans to develop and introduce to the market by 2024. According to Car and Driver, the firm actually intends to sell entirely battery-electric and hydrogen-powered automobiles by 2040.
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Where can I buy a Honda Clarity?
Due to its higher battery size compared to certain other PHEVs, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model was introduced to the U.S. market on December 1, 2017, with a starting MSRP of $34,290. It is also qualified for other plug-in incentives in select states.
[30] The Clarity PHEV offers a combined gas and electric range of 340 miles, with an EPA-rated all-electric range of 47 miles (76 km) (550 km). [31]
It is the only Clarity model offered in all 50 states of the United States as well as Canada, where it was introduced on December 14, 2017, with an MSRP of C$39,990 before any government incentives up to C$13,000 were offered.
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The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid has a J1772 charge connector for up to 6.6kW of AC charging for the North American market. At the maximum 6.6kW speed (240V 27.5A), a full charge takes roughly 2.5 hours, or 13 hours from a typical 120V US wall outlet.
The Forest Blue Pearl exterior color was exclusive to the Clarity PHEV model. In addition, the plug-in version is the only one with a chrome bar above the front grille, a chrome garnish on the rear deck lid, and different wheels. [33]
An all-electric range of 114.6 km (71.2 mi) on the JC08 driving cycle or 101 km (63 mi) on the WLTP driving cycle was advertised for the Clarity PHEV when it was later delivered in Japan on July 20, 2018, with an MSRP of 5,880,600 including 8% consumption tax. The Japanese model has an extra CHAdeMO DC fast charging connector compared to the North American variant, enabling an 80% battery charge in 30 minutes. [34]
The Clarity’s new Acoustic Vehicle Alert System, which makes an audible noise when the vehicle is operating in pure electric mode at low speeds, was added for the 2020 model year.
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Honda restricted the availability of the Clarity PHEV in the United States in August 2019 to only Californian dealerships, however it was still possible to order one nationwide.
[36] The Clarity PHEV and the Fuel Cell versions were retired in 2021. [17]
The Honda Clarity is being phased out, why?
The low sales of the hydrogen vehicle are to blame. Due to weak sales, Honda is ceasing manufacture of its Clarity hydrogen vehicle. Nikkei, a Japanese newspaper, broke the news first.
The Honda Clarity’s lifespan
What is the battery life? The battery is supported by an 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty and is built to last for many years of dependable operation.
What vehicle will Honda choose to replace the Clarity?
Honda has only sold 1896 Clarity vehicles so far in 2021, while the full-year sales tally for 2020 was just 4215 units, down from 11,654 units in 2019. The hydrogen fuel-cell Clarity, which is only available for lease in a few places, is not separately broken out in Honda’s sales statistics. According to the firm, Clarity will be available for leasing through the calendar year 2022 if production continues through August of current year. The Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo will then be the only hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles available for purchase in the United States.
We don’t believe that the Clarity will soon be directly replaced, but Honda is developing a number of new electric vehicles. The 2024 model year will see the introduction of a new Honda EV SUV model employing GM’s Ultium battery packs, and the business has set a goal to steadily expand its lineup of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles over the following two decades. Honda claims that it will only sell battery-electric and hydrogen vehicles by the year 2040.
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How much does it cost to fill a fuel cell in a Honda Clarity?
The cost of refueling a hydrogen fuel cell can reach $100, but Honda will pay for up to $15,000 of fuel throughout the lease.
The Honda Clarity has a plug, right?
Models of Honda Clarity The Plug-In Hybrid and Fuel Cell versions of the Honda Clarity are the two main configurations offered. A 17-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 212 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque power the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.
Pros
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are categorized as “ultra low emission vehicles” (ULEVs), just like electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and thus are eligible for the same tax breaks as other ULEVs.
Owners won’t be required to pay any car excise charge because they release no CO2 (VED, commonly known as road tax). A 310 annual supplement for vehicles exceeding 40,000 for the first five years is also included. 3
Additionally, they won’t be subject to the London Congestion Charge or other clean air zones like those in Leeds and Birmingham.
In addition to the financial advantages, drivers of hydrogen-powered vehicles will be helping the environment because there are no hazardous exhaust emissions.
Although the majority of hydrogen is currently created using fossil fuels, burning hydrogen often emits less hazardous gases than burning gasoline or diesel, and hydrogen may be produced using electrolysis with renewable electricity.
While it may be difficult to find a filling station today, most hydrogen cars can travel 300 miles on a single tank and won’t experience the same “range anxiety” that many drivers of electric cars do.
Cons
There are currently not many hydrogen filling stations open, making it challenging to find hydrogen.
It might not always be an issue because more are planned and the government has established a 23 million fund to encourage the use of hydrogen vehicles and enhance the infrastructure that supports them.
With current pricing of 10 to 15 cents per kilogram, filling the 6.33kg tank of a Hyundai Nexo will cost you between 63 and 95 cents.
The Nexo will cost about $11.40 to travel 100 kilometers (62 miles) at a consumption rate of 0.95 kg (62 miles). For the same trip, an equal diesel will cost about $6.72. At 15.5p per kWh, an electric vehicle like the Hyundai Kona will cost about $3.
A hydrogen vehicle will cost far more to purchase outright than a comparable petrol or diesel vehicle; for instance, the Hyundai Nexo will cost you $66,000.
Finally, because fuel tanks must be exceedingly sturdy because hydrogen must be compressed to fit inside them, this adds weight and costs money.
It is extremely combustible, but so is gasoline, and most of us don’t worry about driving around with a tank full of fuel below our car that is arguably less well secured.
Vehicles propelled by combustible gas are not permitted to travel through the EuroTunnel between the UK and France.
Toyota asserts that the hydrogen tank in the Mirai can absorb five times as much crash energy as steel.
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How far can a plug-in hybrid Honda Clarity travel?
The 47-mile electric driving range of the 2021 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is available. A 340 mile driving range is possible if you fill the fuel tank with unleaded gasoline. The gear combinations for this midsize Honda sedan are managed by the e-CVT system.
Honda Clarity hybrids: are they dependable?
Problems with the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid’s Reliability Over three model years, owners of Clarity Plug-In Hybrids have filed 15 complaints. It has genuine engine and electrical issues, and our PainRankTM algorithm has placed it 13th out of 24 Honda models in terms of overall reliability.
Can you buy gas for the Honda Clarity?
The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid’s gas tank has a capacity of seven gallons. The vehicle’s total driving range was rated by the EPA at 340 miles* with a full tank of gas and a fully charged battery. The driving range can be increased by often charging the battery.
110 miles per gallon of combined gasoline-equivalent (MPGe) gas-electric rating; combined MPG gasoline-only rating of 44 city/40 highway/42. Maximum driving range in EV mode is 47 miles. Rating for a 340-mile gas-electric driving range. based on EPA ratings for 2020. Use just for purposes of comparison. Your MPGe/MPG and range will vary according on the driving environment, how you handle and care for your car, the battery pack’s age and condition, among other things.
My Honda Clarity can I charge in the rain?
Electric automobiles are secure and include shields and protective layers in their charging ports to shield you from the elements and their charging components. It is secure to charge your Honda Clarity in the rain thanks to charging stations having the same protection.
Does it make sense to swap out a hybrid battery?
They might also inquire as to whether an investment in a hybrid battery is worthwhile. Hybrid batteries, on the other hand, won’t just save you money over time by lowering your trips to the petrol station; their longer lifespan also means you’ll spend less money on maintenance.
How frequently should hybrid batteries be changed?
How Frequently Should a Hybrid Battery Be Replaced? A hybrid automobile battery should be replaced every 15 years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first).
How long is the lifespan of a hybrid battery?
Consumers’ beliefs that the pricey high-voltage battery packs in hybrid vehicles are unreliable and prone to frequent or premature failure are some of the key reasons for customer reluctance to these vehicles. Truth be told, high-voltage hybrid battery packs must be warranted for at least eight years or 100,000 miles of operation by all makers of hybrid vehicles sold domestically in the US. However, certain hybrids built in Japan now come with ten-year warranties that last for ten years or 150,000 miles of service; one example being the latest Toyota Prius models.
Additionally, producers are required by law to transmit and uphold the remaining hybrid battery warranties in the domestic market of the United States. According to this requirement, the dealer is required to transfer the remaining original battery warranty to you if you purchase, for example, a hybrid car that is three years old and has 40,000 miles on the odometer. Additionally, if the battery fails within the remaining time frame, the dealer must honor the remaining warranty sum.
Unfortunately, since nothing in this world is flawless, high-voltage hybrid battery packs can and do malfunction for a variety of reasons. In order to comprehend what you can do to prolong the life of the high-voltage battery pack in your hybrid vehicle, it is necessary to first grasp what hybrid battery packs are, how they function, and how occasionally they break down.
Why did Honda discontinue producing hybrid vehicles?
However, Honda Motor Co. stated on Tuesday that it will stop producing the hybrid version of its Accord sedan due to weak sales. You would assume that any automobile marked as a hybrid would sell quickly, given the record-high prices of gas and the rising public interest in ecologically friendly technologies.