Honda Trying Plug-in Fuel-Cell CR-V in Japan and California

While investments in hydrogen fuel cells for heavy trucks are growing on multiple continents, interest in powering passenger cars with hydrogen is declining fast. But Honda is leaning into that windmill, ready to introduce an innovative idea to diminish anxiety over refueling FCEV cars.

The automaker will launch a plug-in fuel-cell vehicle in Japan this summer, with leasing in California to follow. The CR-V e:FCEV will have 270 miles (434 km) of range on hydrogen, and 29 miles (47 km) of range of electric power via an onboard battery.

While the CR-V e:FCEV may end up being a unicorn vehicle, the onboard battery is meant to serve two functions: power appliances or tools when the midsize CUV is stationary or provide a range extension if hydrogen runs out.

Standard features include HondaLink with expanded capabilities including hydrogen station information in addition to charging and power supply data. The included Honda Power Supply Connector utilizes a 110V power outlet that can deliver up to 1,500 watts of power, turning the vehicle into a clean power source.

The CR-V e:FCEV delivers delivers 174 hp and 229 lb.-ft. (310 Nm) of torque via a front-mounted single-motor.

The unique CUV may find a better reception in Japan than in the U.S. Japan is the fifth largest energy consumer among nations, according to Statistica. But most of its energy is imported. The country has an industrial policy to seek and develop more sustainable sources of energy to displace reliance on fossil fuels for economic as well as environmental reasons. Japan, for example, ranks third among nations in solar power generation.

Japan is spending the equivalent of $107 billion on hydrogen supply chains through 2030. The country has 80 hydrogen refueling stations.

The price of the new vehicle model has yet to be determined.

Honda is using a fuel cell system it developed jointly with General Motors. The two companies late last year ended their collaboration that was intended to produce small BEVs globally. But this technology venture will see the light of day.

The CR-V e:FCEV is built at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, OH.

The car also will see distribution by leasing in California. But the future of hydrogen cars in California is very much up in the air. Shell already has shut down a handful of Bay Area hydrogen filling stations and looks as if it will abandon all of its California hydrogen distribution operations later this year. That move has Toyota selling its remaining Mirai FCEVs at fire-sale prices.