Last year Honda announced plans to expand the new Clarity into a three vehicle lineup that would include the Clarity Fuel Cell in addition to new plug-in hybrid and electric versions. The Clarity Fuel Cell is already on sale, but today Honda unveiled the new Clarity Plug-in hybrid and Clarity Electric models.
On the outside, it will be hard for the average person to be able to tell the difference between the three models, which is a good thing, as long as you like the quirky looks of the Clarity. The Clarity Plug-in hybrid will be the volume leader of the three Clarity models with its 42 mile EV driving range. Once the energy in the 17-kilowatt hour battery pack is depleted, the Clarity Plug-in hybrid’s 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine will keep you going for a total 330 miles.
Recharging the Clarity Plug-in hybrid will only take 2.5 hours on a 240 volt outlet and it’s expected that it will receive a 105 MPGe combined rating.
Related: Battle of the fuel cell vehicles: 2017 Honda Clarity vs 2017 Toyota Mirai (Review)
The Clarity Electric may disappoint most EV drivers, since its driving range will only be around 80 miles, which is below almost every other fully electric car that is available today. Recharging the Clarity Electric will take about three hours at 240 volts, but it does have DC fast charging capability. The Clarity Electric is powered by a 161 horsepower electric motor and a 25.5-kWh battery pack. It is expected to have a 111 combined MPGe rating. The Clarity Electric will only be offered in California and Oregon.
“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 auto show 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.”
Source: Honda