Honda’s claimed ‘America’s first production plug-in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle’, the 2025 CR-V e:FCEV, has a powertrain developed in conjunction with General Motors.
The five passenger crossover is the first application of a second generation fuel cell module produced at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing (FCSM) in Michigan, offering improved durability, higher efficiency, increased refinement and lower cost compared to the previous generation system used in the Clarity model that was offered to a limited, select customer base mainly in California.
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Co-developed with General Motors (GM), the new module benefits from technology and economies of scale of both companies and reduces the cost by two thirds compared to the Clarity fuel cell. This was achieved by various measures including the adoption of new electrode materials, advancement of a cell sealing structure, simplified supporting equipment and improved productivity.
Durability of the system was claimed to have been doubled by corrosion resistant materials and controlled suppression of deterioration while low temperature performance was also improved “significantly”.
The model received a 270 mile EPA driving range rating and combines its new US made fuel cell system with plug in charging capability for up to 29 miles of EV driving around town with “fast” hydrogen refueling for longer trips.
Mamadou Diallo, senior vice president of auto sales at American Honda Motor, said: “[We have] laid out an electrification strategy leading to 100% zero emission automobile sales by 2040 including the introduction of both battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles.”
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By GlobalDataLike the Clarity, e:FCEV will be available for customer leasing in California from later this year.
Standard features include infotainment with expanded capability including hydrogen station information in addition to charging and power supply data. A 110 volt power outlet can deliver up to 1,500 watts of power capable of running small home appliances, portable air conditioners, power tools and camping equipment.
The e:FCEV is built at the specialist, low volume Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, and is the only fuel cell electric passenger vehicle made in America.
Honda recently launched the Prologue electric SUV in the US, sharing a BEV platform with GM.
