Honda recently held the world premiere of the production model of the CR-V e:FCEV, an all-new hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) which is scheduled to go on sale in Japan later this year.
With the introduction of the CR-V e:FCEV, Honda will be the first Japanese automaker to launch an FCEV model featuring a plug-in charging function that enables charging of an onboard battery from an external power source.
Without compromising the advantages of an FCEV, such as a long driving range and short hydrogen refueling time, the addition of a plug-in feature to charge the battery at home and/or on the go further enhances the convenience of FCEVs.
The CR-V e:FCEV is expected to offer range of more than 600km on a full tank of hydrogen and additional battery-powered EV range of more than 60km (37 miles) measured by the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
Moreover, based on the 6th generation CR-V, which is already sold in key markets such as North America and China, the CR-V e:FCEV will accommodate the diverse needs of individual customers with excellent utility and packaging unique only to an SUV.
The CR-V e:FCEV will be equipped with the fuel cell system co-developed by Honda and General Motors (GM) and produced by their joint venture company, Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, LLC (in Michigan, U.S.A.).
The vehicle will be produced at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center (in Ohio, U.S.A.) and exported to Japan. Following the introduction in Japan, sales in North America is scheduled to begin before the end of 2024.
Honda has set a goal to realize carbon neutrality for all of the products and corporate activities Honda is involved in by 2050 and “zero environmental impact” throughout the entire product lifecycle including the product and all corporate activities.
Toward this end, Honda is focusing on the following “three-pillars”: “carbon neutrality,” “clean energy” and “resource circulation.” Within these initiatives, Honda positions hydrogen as one of the high-potential energy carriers, along with electricity, and has been continuing research and development of hydrogen technologies including FCEVs for more than 30 years.
In 2002, the Honda FCX became the first FCEV in the world to receive certification from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and went on lease sales in Japan and the U.S. Since then, Honda has continued the development of FCEVs and began lease sales of the FCX Clarity in 2008 and the Clarity Fuel Cell in 2016.
