The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell represented Honda's commitment to hydrogen-powered vehicles. While innovative, its limited availability and lease-only program mean understanding the nuances of the available model years is crucial for potential buyers. This guide provides a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision about the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell.
Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Model Years: A Quick Overview
The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell was available for lease in the United States for a limited time. Understanding the differences between the model years, despite their similarities, can help you decide if a pre-owned lease return is right for you.
| Feature | Explanation | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Model Years Available | The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell was available for lease in the US from 2017 to 2021. These are the only years you'll find on the used market. | All model years are functionally very similar. Differences are mostly cosmetic or related to minor software updates. |
| Fuel Cell Technology | The Clarity Fuel Cell utilizes a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack. Hydrogen gas reacts with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, with water as the only emission. The electricity powers an electric motor, which drives the wheels. | The core fuel cell technology remained largely unchanged throughout the Clarity's production run. Performance and efficiency are consistent across all model years. |
| Range and Refueling | The Clarity Fuel Cell boasted an EPA-estimated range of 360 miles. Refueling with hydrogen takes approximately 3-5 minutes, similar to gasoline vehicles, but is heavily dependent on station availability and pressure. | The limited hydrogen refueling infrastructure is a significant consideration. Check the availability of hydrogen stations in your area before committing to a Clarity Fuel Cell. |
| Standard Features | All Clarity Fuel Cell models came well-equipped with features like Honda Sensing (adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation braking), navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated front seats, and LED headlights. | There were no significant changes to standard features across the model years. Focus on the overall condition and mileage of the vehicle when considering a pre-owned model. |
| Potential Issues | Potential issues include fuel cell degradation over time (though data is limited due to the lease-only nature), software glitches, and availability of replacement parts. Hydrogen infrastructure reliability is also a factor. | Pre-purchase inspections are crucial. Inquire about the vehicle's maintenance history and any fuel cell performance data, if available. Assess the viability of owning a hydrogen vehicle based on local infrastructure. |
| Lease vs. Ownership | The Clarity Fuel Cell was primarily offered on a lease basis. Pre-owned vehicles are lease returns. Understanding the terms of the original lease (mileage limits, maintenance requirements) is important when evaluating a used Clarity Fuel Cell. | Check the vehicle's Carfax report for detailed service records and any accident history. Consider the remaining warranty coverage, if any. |
| Why the Clarity was Discontinued | Honda discontinued the Clarity Fuel Cell due to several factors, including the high cost of fuel cell technology, limited hydrogen infrastructure, and shifting market demand towards battery electric vehicles (BEVs). | While the Clarity Fuel Cell was a technological achievement, its commercial viability was limited by external factors. This doesn't necessarily make it a bad vehicle, but it does impact long-term support and resale value. |
Detailed Explanations
Model Years Available: The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell was only available for lease in the US from 2017 to 2021. This limited production run means that all available vehicles on the used market are lease returns. The lack of significant changes between model years simplifies the buying process, focusing attention on the individual vehicle's condition.
Fuel Cell Technology: The Clarity Fuel Cell uses a PEM fuel cell stack, a technology that combines hydrogen gas and oxygen to generate electricity, emitting only water. This process is clean and efficient. The electricity then powers an electric motor, making the Clarity Fuel Cell an electric vehicle with a hydrogen fuel source.
Range and Refueling: The Clarity Fuel Cell offered an impressive EPA-estimated range of 360 miles, making it a practical option for longer commutes. Refueling with hydrogen is quick, taking only 3-5 minutes, similar to gasoline vehicles. However, the limited availability of hydrogen refueling stations remains a major obstacle for widespread adoption.
Standard Features: Honda equipped all Clarity Fuel Cell models with a generous array of standard features. These included the Honda Sensing suite of safety technologies (adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and collision mitigation braking), a navigation system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, heated front seats, and energy-efficient LED headlights. This consistent feature set simplifies the buying process, as there are no trim levels or option packages to consider.
Potential Issues: While the Clarity Fuel Cell is a technologically advanced vehicle, potential issues exist. Fuel cell degradation over time is a concern, although limited data is available due to the lease-only program. Software glitches can occur, and the availability of replacement parts may become a challenge as the vehicle ages. The reliability of the hydrogen infrastructure is also a crucial factor, as station outages can disrupt refueling plans.
Lease vs. Ownership: The Clarity Fuel Cell was primarily offered on a lease basis, meaning that all used vehicles are lease returns. Understanding the terms of the original lease, including mileage limits and maintenance requirements, is essential when evaluating a used Clarity Fuel Cell. Pay close attention to the vehicle's history and condition, as it reflects how well it was maintained during the lease period.
Why the Clarity was Discontinued: Honda discontinued the Clarity Fuel Cell due to a combination of factors. The high cost of fuel cell technology, coupled with the limited hydrogen infrastructure, made it difficult to compete with battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Shifting market demand towards BEVs further contributed to the decision. While the Clarity Fuel Cell was a technological marvel, its commercial viability was limited by external factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which year of the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is the best? Given the minimal changes across model years (2017-2021), the "best" year depends primarily on the vehicle's condition, mileage, and maintenance history. Look for the best-maintained example, regardless of the specific model year.
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How reliable is the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell? Reliability data is limited due to the lease-only program. However, potential concerns include fuel cell degradation and software glitches.
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Where can I refuel a Honda Clarity Fuel Cell? Refueling requires access to a hydrogen refueling station. The availability of these stations is limited to specific regions, primarily in California.
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What is the range of the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell? The Clarity Fuel Cell has an EPA-estimated range of 360 miles.
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Is it expensive to maintain a Honda Clarity Fuel Cell? Maintenance costs can be higher than those of a conventional gasoline vehicle due to the specialized nature of the fuel cell technology. Parts availability may also be a concern.
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Can I buy a Honda Clarity Fuel Cell? The Clarity Fuel Cell was primarily offered on a lease basis. You can purchase a pre-owned lease return, but new models are no longer available.
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What are the advantages of a fuel cell vehicle? Fuel cell vehicles offer zero tailpipe emissions and quick refueling times, similar to gasoline vehicles.
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What are the disadvantages of a fuel cell vehicle? The disadvantages include the limited hydrogen refueling infrastructure, the high cost of fuel cell technology, and potential concerns about long-term durability.
Conclusion
The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell represents a bold step towards hydrogen-powered transportation. While all model years (2017-2021) are functionally similar, focusing on the individual vehicle's condition and the viability of hydrogen refueling in your area is crucial. The limited infrastructure and potential maintenance costs should be carefully considered before acquiring a pre-owned Clarity Fuel Cell.