Honda is Releasing a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Plug-In Hybrid CR-V for 2025

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer a unique EV experience, and their ability to completely refuel in just a few minutes makes them more convenient than their battery-powered counterparts. That said, they’re only sold in California, and there are only two models available. Honda was a player in the hydrogen game but stopped selling the Clarity in 2022. That’s about to change, however, as the automaker recently announced the CR-V e:FCEV, the first plug-in hydrogen vehicle in the United States.


The concept behind the CR-V is similar to that of a traditional PHEV, replacing gas with hydrogen. Honda worked with General Motors to design the fuel cell module. The owner can plug in at home or a public charger and get 29 miles of range or fill with hydrogen to get up to 270 miles of range. A single motor delivers 174 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. Honda said it designed the suspension to “deliver the same sporty driving experience and class-leading refinement as other CR-V models,” though the sporty part is debatable.

HondaLink navigation comes standard, offering guidance to one of the 55 hydrogen fueling stations in California. The CR-V also gets a full suite of driver aids, wireless smartphone mirroring, a nine-inch touchscreen, and a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster. It has a 110-volt outlet on board that can power appliances, power tools, air conditioners, and other equipment.

[Images: Honda]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • Jkross22 Jkross22 on Feb 27, 2024

    this is how difficult it can get....

    • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Feb 28, 2024

      This is why Tesla built the Supercharger network themselves, instead of relying on others in in the public or private sector.

      As for hydrogen, this map is what I'd expect, and it comports with an Edmunds article a few years ago about their long-term Mirai. Refilling was a nightmare, even in California.

      The technical challenges of handling hydrogen are way harder than EVs, and EV filling isn't super reliable.

  • ToolGuy ToolGuy on Feb 28, 2024

    Honda is dreaming. And resting on its 'laurels' (French for 'posterior').

  • Dwford The problem with Cadillac is that the only Cadillac they sell is the Escalade. Cadillacs are supposed to be large imposing vehicles that are visually impressive. Only the Escalade meets that standard. Everything else Cadillac sells are knock off BMWs. Cadillac shouldn't be in the business of selling compact 4 cylinder crossovers. Dime a dozen vehicles. You'd be better off buying a high trim version of any mainstream crossover than an XT4. Why does a CT4 start at the same price as a Camry XSE? Why do Buicks have nicer interiors than Cadillacs? Why to CHEVYS have nicer interiors than Cadillacs?
  • EBFlex “Insatiable demand” Pretty sad when even the Uber deranged EU doesn’t want EVs.
  • Jbltg Had a rental like this once, stock of course. NYC to Vermont. Very smooth and quiet, amazing fuel economy. Not the best for interior space though. Back seat and trunk barely usable.
  • MKizzy I suppose this means most GM rentals will be Trailblazers and/or Traxes with Encore GX's and Envistas considered an upgrade.GM stopped trying with the Malibu years ago and was merely waiting for its opportunity to swing the axe. Any U.S. sedan GM introduces in the future will probably come from China barring a trade war escalation. At least the plant producing the Malibu it won't close; at least not until GM finds a way to move production of the next Bolt across the border or offshore without touching the UAW third rail.
  • OA5599 Yes, I will miss it because it is the demise of another sedan. We need people driving sedans instead of dangerous SUV's and unsafe monster-sized pickups. That is, dangerous and unsafe to pedestrians and those in sedans on the receiving end of being t-boned by SUV's and pickups.
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