Honda's Fuel Cell Car: Leasing, Not Buying. Why?

why is honda only leasing fuel cell car

Honda's 2025 CR-V e:FCEV is a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle that is only available for lease in California. This is because hydrogen fueling stations are rare, and California is the only place where they are slightly less uncommon. The vehicle is powered by hydrogen stored in onboard tanks, which is converted into electricity to power its motor. The vehicle is unique in that it is the only fuel-cell electric passenger vehicle made in America, and it offers a 270-mile EPA driving range rating.

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The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV is only available to lease in California

The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV is a hydrogen-powered compact SUV that is only available to lease in California. This is because hydrogen fueling stations are rare, and they are only slightly less rare in California. The vehicle is powered by hydrogen stored in dual high-pressure onboard tanks, which offer compact energy storage and energy conversion that only releases water as a byproduct. The CR-V e:FCEV is the only fuel-cell electric passenger vehicle made in America, using domestic and globally-sourced parts. It is built at Honda's Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, and its fuel cell is manufactured by Fuel Cell System Manufacturing in Michigan.

The CR-V e:FCEV has received a 270-mile EPA driving range rating, combining an all-new U.S.-made fuel cell system with plug-in charging capability. This provides up to 29 miles of EV driving with the flexibility of fast hydrogen refueling for longer trips. The vehicle's 17.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack endows it with an estimated 29 miles of range with the fuel cell inactive, making it a plug-in hybrid FCEV. The CR-V e:FCEV offers three competitive lease options: three years/36,000 miles for $459 per month with $15,000 of fuel credit, a six-year option with $30,000 of fuel credit, and a two-year high-mileage package with 30,000 miles annually and $25,000 of fuel credit.

The CR-V e:FCEV is available at 12 Honda dealerships in California: six throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, five in the San Francisco Bay Area, and one in Sacramento. The lease terms include up to 21 days of access to a rental vehicle from Avis while in California, 24/7 roadside assistance, and eligibility for California's Clean Air Vehicle Stickers to allow single-occupant HOV access. The vehicle is expected to start around $60,000 and will only be offered in the Touring trim, which includes standard features such as a digital gauge display, a heated steering wheel, synthetic leather upholstery, and wireless smartphone charging.

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The vehicle is a zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered car

The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV is a zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered car. It is the first production plug-in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle in America. The vehicle is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which is an advanced technology that generates electricity to power the vehicle's motor. The fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen from the air, creating reliable power with the only tailpipe emission being water vapour.

The CR-V e:FCEV is built at Honda's Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, and is the only fuel cell electric passenger vehicle made in America. The vehicle is equipped with dual high-pressure hydrogen tanks that offer compact energy storage and energy conversion. The hydrogen tanks can be refuelled in just 3 to 5 minutes at a hydrogen station, making it convenient for long-distance travel.

The CR-V e:FCEV also has a battery capable of supplying an additional 29 miles of electric-only driving range. This makes it a plug-in hybrid FCEV, allowing drivers emissions-free driving for short distances without the range anxiety of a dedicated EV. The vehicle's driving range is further extended by its hydrogen fuel cell system, which provides up to 270 miles on a full tank.

The vehicle is currently only available for lease in California due to the limited hydrogen infrastructure outside of the state. Honda offers competitive lease options, including three years/36,000 miles for $459 per month with $15,000 of hydrogen fuel credit. The lease terms also include access to rental vehicles, roadside assistance, and eligibility for California's Clean Air Vehicle Stickers, which allow single-occupant HOV access.

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Honda offers three lease options for the vehicle

Honda is offering three lease options for the 2025 CR-V e:FCEV, its hydrogen-powered compact SUV: three-year, six-year, and two-year high-mileage packages. The three- and six-year options allow for drivers to cover 12,000 miles a year, while the two-year lease allows for 30,000 miles annually. The three-year lease costs $2,959 at signing and $459 per month, while the two-year high-mileage package costs $4,200 at signing and $530 per month. All three leases include up to 21 days of complimentary rental cars from Avis while in California, 24/7 roadside assistance, and access to carpool lanes throughout California. Given the high price of hydrogen, they also include a generous hydrogen allowance that works out to about 42 cents per mile: $15,000 of credits on the three-year lease, $25,000 on the high-mileage two-year lease, and $30,000 with the six-year option.

The CR-V e:FCEV is currently the only fuel-cell electric passenger vehicle made in America, using domestic and globally-sourced parts. It is built at Honda's Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, and its fuel cell is manufactured by Fuel Cell System Manufacturing in Brownstown, Michigan. Honda has offered hydrogen fuel cell vehicles since 2002, when the Honda FCX became the world's first zero-emission fuel cell vehicle to receive certification for everyday use from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

The 2025 CR-V e:FCEV is only available in California, where hydrogen fueling stations are slightly less rare than in other states. It is available at 12 Honda dealerships in the state: six throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, five in the San Francisco Bay Area, and one in Sacramento. The vehicle has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $50,000, though no purchase option will be offered.

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The CR-V e:FCEV is the only fuel-cell electric passenger vehicle made in America

The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV is a hydrogen-powered compact SUV that is the only fuel-cell electric passenger vehicle made in America. It is built at Honda's Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, and is the first application of the second-generation Honda Fuel Cell Module, which is produced at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, LLC (FCSM) in Michigan.

The CR-V e:FCEV is a zero-emissions vehicle that combines plug-in charging capability with FCEV technology, allowing for EV driving around town and fast hydrogen refueling for longer trips. It has a 270-mile EPA driving range rating and can provide up to 29 miles of EV driving when fully charged. The vehicle is equipped with Honda Sensing®, a suite of safety and assistance features, and offers various incentives for drivers, including tax credits, rebates, and HOV lane access.

Honda offers three lease options for the CR-V e:FCEV: three and six years, as well as a two-year high-mileage package. The three- and six-year options allow for 12,000 miles per year, while the two-year lease allows for 30,000 miles annually. The lease includes generous hydrogen fuel credits, roadside assistance, and access to rental vehicles and carpool lanes in California.

The CR-V e:FCEV is currently only available for leasing in California due to the limited availability of hydrogen fueling stations outside of the state. However, Honda has expressed its commitment to expanding the adoption of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

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The vehicle is equipped with advanced technology

The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV is a hydrogen-powered compact SUV that is equipped with advanced technology. The vehicle is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and power the vehicle's motor. This technology, known as a fuel cell system, was first introduced by Honda in 1998 with a prototype vehicle equipped with a 20kW fuel cell. Since then, Honda has continuously improved the performance of its fuel cells, and the CR-V e:FCEV now features a more advanced fuel cell that offers higher efficiency and increased refinement.

One of the key advantages of the CR-V e:FCEV's fuel cell technology is its environmental benefits. The vehicle is certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a Zero-Emission Vehicle, with water vapour being the only by-product of fuel cell technology. This aligns with Honda's commitment to sustainability and its Triple Action Zero initiative, which aims for 100% sustainable materials by 2050. Additionally, the CR-V e:FCEV's fuel cell provides a range of up to 29 miles when fully charged, allowing for emissions-free driving.

The CR-V e:FCEV also comes with a range of standard equipment and advanced features. These include a hands-free power liftgate, synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The vehicle also features a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

In addition to the vehicle's advanced technology, Honda has also developed a new fuel cell module, known as the Honda Next Generation Fuel Cell Module. This module is being independently developed by Honda and is scheduled for mass production in 2027. It aims to achieve a rated output of 150 kW while reducing production costs and improving durability compared to the current model.

Overall, the Honda CR-V e:FCEV is a testament to the company's commitment to advanced technology and sustainability. With its hydrogen fuel cell system, standard equipment, and next-generation fuel cell module, the vehicle offers a fun and eco-conscious driving experience.

Frequently asked questions

Honda is offering the 2025 CR-V e:FCEV fuel cell car on a lease-only basis due to the limited hydrogen infrastructure available. Hydrogen refuelling stations are rare, and the car is therefore only available in California, where they are slightly less scarce.

Honda offers three lease options for the 2025 CR-V e:FCEV: three, six and two years, with the latter being a high-mileage package. The three- and six-year options allow for 12,000 miles a year, while the two-year lease allows for 30,000 miles annually.

The 2025 CR-V e:FCEV is a zero-emissions vehicle with a driving range of up to 270 miles. It has a 17.7-kWh battery pack, allowing for 29 miles of electric-only driving before the hydrogen fuel cell system is activated. It also has a 10.2-inch digital display, a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless phone charging.

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