This could seem like a daily Honda CR-V, however the two gasoline caps denote its plug-in hybrid setup. Usually, that might indicate certainly one of them is for the gasoline tank to feed a combustion engine. However, this CR-V would not have a gasoline engine. Instead, it combines a gasoline cell setup with a battery pack. Yes, the CR-V has been engineered with a plug-in hydrogen setup.
Touted as being “the only fuel cell electric passenger vehicle made in America,” the compact SUV has a quite sophisticated title: 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV. Motivation is supplied by a front-mounted electrical motor producing 174 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. The compressed hydrogen gasoline tank has a capability of 4.3 kilograms for an EPA-certified driving vary of 270 miles. As for the separate 17.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack, it has sufficient juice for an EPA-estimated 29 miles.
Joining the common turbo and hybrid fashions, the e:FCEV model advantages from bidirectional charging like some common plug-in hybrid and battery EVs do. It comes bundled with an influence provide connector that hooks as much as a 110-volt outlet to ship a most of 1,500 watts of energy. This helpful characteristic can juice up residence home equipment, tenting gear, energy instruments, and even a conveyable air conditioner.
Because the load distribution is totally different, Honda says it has solely retuned the suspension at each axles. The CR-V e:FCEV makes use of a MacPherson strut entrance and a multi-link rear. We’re being instructed the rear lateral rigidity is up by 10 p.c and rear torsional rigidity by 9 p.c over the fashions which have a combustion engine. In addition, there are new stabilizer bars, dampers, and is derived.
The CR-V e:FCEV is Honda’s first mannequin to make use of the second technology of its gasoline cell module, which is made in Michigan and has been co-developed with General Motors. It’s touted as being extra environment friendly, sturdy, refined, and cost-effective than its predecessor. Compared to the defunct Clarity Fuel Cell, the prices to provide the gasoline cell have been slashed by two-thirds.
Honda has made some effort to visually separate the hydrogen model from the present CR-V fashions. The entrance fenders and bumper have been modified, together with {a partially} black tailgate, clear taillights, and 18-inch black alloy wheels with a 10-spoke design. Beneath the automobile, the e:FCEV has a totally closed underfloor for higher airflow to enhance effectivity.
While the common CR-V is obtainable for the 2024 mannequin 12 months in six trim ranges, the plug-in hydrogen mannequin will likely be accessible for 2025 strictly as a Touring. That means it has all of the goodies included as customary, from electrically adjustable heated entrance seats to a 12-speaker Bose sound system. You additionally get dual-zone local weather management, a heated steering wheel, an influence tailgate, and a wi-fi charging pad. The 9-inch touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster are customary, and so is wi-fi compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV will likely be accessible to lease in California from later this 12 months. It’s value noting the mannequin’s debut comes solely a few weeks after Shell introduced plans to shut all seven of its hydrogen stations in CA. According to the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership (H2FCP), there have been 55 accessible stations within the state on January 10, 2024, earlier than Shell determined to drag the plug, each actually and figuratively.