While automakers like BMW and Hyundai have been continually committed to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles for the future, it’s been a few years since Honda’s fuel-cell Clarity went out of production. But Honda has been somewhat quietly working on its next generation of hydrogen cars, and now the first has made its debut. Meet the CR-V e:FCEV, a fuel cell version of the CR-V crossover that’ll go on sale later this year.
The CR-V e:FCEV isn’t just any hydrogen-powered vehicle, either — Honda says it’s the first plug-in-hybrid fuel-cell vehicle that will be sold in the U.S., meaning it can be plugged in for some EV range in addition to using the hydrogen fuel-cell system. The centerpiece of the e:FCEV is a unique powertrain setup that was designed in-house by Honda. A 92.2-kWh fuel-cell module is paired with a front-mounted electric motor making 174 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, and there’s also a 17.7-kWh battery pack. The result is 270 total miles of emissions-free driving and 29 miles of all-electric driving range.
To avoid this just being some emissions-free appliance, Honda says it focused on making the fuel-cell CR-V fun to drive. In addition to selectable drive modes that include Snow and Sport, Honda engineers re-tuned the MacPherson strut front suspension and multilink rear suspension. Rear torsional and lateral rigidity has improved as well when compared to the gas-powered CR-V models.
Honda isn’t giving buyers many choices when it comes to trims, though. The CR-V e:FCEV will only be offered in the fully loaded Touring trim, which will come well equipped with standard features like a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a heated steering wheel and heated seats that are covered in bio-based leather.
The CR-V e:FCEV also looks a bit different than the rest of the CR-V lineup. It gets a distinctive front fascia with larger bumper intakes, slimmer headlights, black 18-inch wheels, a unique rear bumper, and clear taillights. Honda isn’t talking pricing on the CR-V e:FCEV just yet, but it’s set to go on sale later this year and will be made in the same Ohio facility where Acura manufactured the NSX. However, it’ll only be available to lease, and only customers in California will be able to lease it.
While this new fuel-cell CR-V is certainly unique, Honda is taking a gamble by offering it. The brand is committed to having battery electric and fuel cell vehicles be 100 percent of its lineup by 2040, but hydrogen seems like a risky thing to bet on. The fueling infrastructure is largely garbage and has only gotten worse, as Shell Hydrogen recently announced that it’s pulling out of California and closing 55 fueling stations across the state. Here’s to hoping Honda can find enough buyers willing to take a dive on a vehicle they’ll likely struggle to refuel.
