The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Masters the MPG

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell (Credit: © Honda)

Hydrogen it just one of the many alternatives automakers are seeking out as a clean replacement for gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles. While its rollout has been slow, the idea of hydrogen fuel-cell cars being a normal sighting on the roadways is becoming more realistic. Recently, Honda added a new FCV to the U.S. market in the form of its Clarity Fuel Cell, and newly released EPA fuel-economy estimates show that it pushes the green envelope further than those that came before it.

According to the EPA, the Clarity Fuel Cell will deliver class-leading gasoline-equivalent fuel economy ratings of 69 mpg city, 67 mpg highway, and 68 mpg combined. These ratings best its only true competitor, the Toyota Mirai, by 3 mpg city, 1 mpg highway, and 2 mpg combined. The EPA also lists the Clarity as the class leader in overall range, as it can travel up to 366 miles on a full tank, beating the Mirai by 54 miles.

What makes cars like the Clarity Fuel Cell so intriguing is the fact that they use electric motors for propulsion, but the electricity is created by the energy released when combining hydrogen and oxygen and creating water. So, you get the zero-emissions benefit of an EV with the ability to refill its hydrogen tanks in just three to five minutes.

The downside to FCVs is that the refueling infrastructure just isn’t here yet. Because of the refueling issue, Honda will limit the distribution of the Clarity Fuel Cell to just 12 approved fuel-cell dealers in California. Once hydrogen stations start popping up in other regions, Honda will roll out the Clarity Fuel Cell in other areas.

Stay tuned for updates.