Before the Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-In Hybrid will launch in 2017, the only type of Honda Clarity money can buy is the FCV. Except you can’t buy the Clarity FCV, but lease it instead.
The fuel cell-powered sedan can be yours for $369 a month for three years, provided that you pony up a $2,499 down payment and the $369 for the first month. As expected, the small print reads “not including tax, registration or official fees.” On a more optimistic note, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell cost $499 per month plus $2,999 due at lease signing. What’s more, there is no competition whatsoever between it and the Clarity Fuel Cell.
Not only does it pride itself on a 366-mile range, which is more than the Toyota Mirai and Tesla Model S P100D, but the Honda Clarity FCV also comes with $15,000 worth of hydrogen fuel for the duration of the lease. Then there’s the 20,000-mile annual mileage allowance, the 24/7 roadside assistance, and 21 days of an Avis Luxury Rental in California. Speaking of which, the Clarity Fuel Cell can only bebought leased in The Golden State.
"Launching the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell at an affordable lease price will enable more consumers to enjoy the benefits of this spacious and well-equipped fuel cell vehicle," explained Steve Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda Motor. What Steve actually wants to tell you, however, is that the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell currently holds the title for the best range rating of any zero-emission vehicle.
The biggest downside to the Clarity FCV, however, is that it can be leased on a seriously stupid condition: the customer needs to live or to work within a 10-mile radius of a Honda-approved hydrogen fueling station. Why’s that? Beats me. To be frank, I can’t get it either why Honda is shooting itself in the leg like that, especially now that pluggable EVs are gaining ground.
Not only does it pride itself on a 366-mile range, which is more than the Toyota Mirai and Tesla Model S P100D, but the Honda Clarity FCV also comes with $15,000 worth of hydrogen fuel for the duration of the lease. Then there’s the 20,000-mile annual mileage allowance, the 24/7 roadside assistance, and 21 days of an Avis Luxury Rental in California. Speaking of which, the Clarity Fuel Cell can only be
"Launching the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell at an affordable lease price will enable more consumers to enjoy the benefits of this spacious and well-equipped fuel cell vehicle," explained Steve Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda Motor. What Steve actually wants to tell you, however, is that the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell currently holds the title for the best range rating of any zero-emission vehicle.
The biggest downside to the Clarity FCV, however, is that it can be leased on a seriously stupid condition: the customer needs to live or to work within a 10-mile radius of a Honda-approved hydrogen fueling station. Why’s that? Beats me. To be frank, I can’t get it either why Honda is shooting itself in the leg like that, especially now that pluggable EVs are gaining ground.