2017 Honda Clarity Electric EV

Lease-only and only offered in two U.S. states. That's how Honda rolls these days.

Still stuck on hydrogen fuel cell cars and eager to complain to the public in regards to how difficult it is to sell electric cars with gas prices cheap, Honda has decided to make its Clarity BEV a lease-only offering with availability in only two states when it rolls out this September.

The 89-mile EV (old estimate was for just 80 miles when priced ) isn't all that enticing due to its very limited range (and reportedly high price of $35,000 ), so we suppose it's not a big loss that Honda has decided to make it such a limited availability item.

Here are the juicy lease details on Honda's compliance-level-only Clarity BEV:

$269 per month for 36 months

$1,999 down payment (first month of lease payment included)

20,000 miles per year

25.5 kWh lithium battery

lithium battery 120 kW (161-horsepower) electric motor

(161-horsepower) electric motor 114 MPGe

The figures seem attractive enough - and we should the note the Clarity is a larger sedan than most other plug-in options available today, but with its highly limited range of only 89 miles (according to Honda), we don't assume the Clarity BEV will be flying off any lots in California or Oregon, the only two states in which it will be offered.

And then there's this from Honda:

No purchase option at lease end.

It is basically the second coming of the Honda Fit EV...which was a limited run (1,100 units sold over 2.5 years), 82 mile (EPA) California lease-only product (for $259/$0 down). The Fit EV was also originally released in California and Oregon, before expanding to other CARB states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey).

Honda Clairty Electric - Shown in New York, but not available in New York

Honda released some details on charging times too:

Level 1 - 19 hours

Level 2 - 3 hours

Level 3 DC - 80% in 30 minutes

Inside The Honda Clarity

Why did Honda go with such a small range? Steve Center, vice president of environmental business development at American Honda Motor, told InsideEVs it was "very deliberate".

"Well, Center said, that’s (Clarity BEV) for the purists who want to charge at home and only want to drive on electric power. Honda’s history with the Fit EV, he said, proves that 80 miles is enough for this crowd. Adding more range would increase costs, and Honda doesn’t want to do that."

We'd suggest you steer clear of this compliance EV for obvious reasons. Let's hope that eventually Honda will actually join the EV movement, rather than just complying to get by.

Full press blast below:

Available August, Honda Announces 2017 Clarity Electric Lease Price at $269 a Month Jun 12, 2017 - TORRANCE, Calif. Five-passenger, zero-emissions electric vehicle available August 2017 in California and Oregon Competitive lease package includes attractive annual 20,000 mile allowance and 24/7 roadside assistance Honda today announced a competitive introductory lease price of $269 a month for 36 months (plus tax) for the 2017 Honda Clarity Electric sedan, which is coming to select dealerships in California and Oregon August 20171. The lease terms include an attractive allowance of 20,000 miles per year and 24/7 roadside assistance. The lease, which has a federal tax credit built in, requires $1,730 down, plus the first month's lease payment at signing (not including tax, registration or official fees)2. In addition, California customers qualify for the state's Clean Vehicle Rebate of $2,500. "The Clarity Electric is the only affordable five-passenger EV sedan with all the technology, and safety and premium features a consumer expects today, including Honda Sensing® as standard equipment,"said Steve Center, vice president of the Connected and Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda customers have been asking for a true five-passenger sedan and we are pleased to make this a reality at an affordable lease price, enabling more consumers the opportunity to take home a zero-emissions vehicle." The Clarity Electric is powered by a 161-horsepower (120-kilowatt) electric motor producing 221 lb.-ft. of torque and drawing power from a 25.5-kWh battery pack. The vehicle can be fully charged in just over three hours at 240 volts, and when using DC fast charging with the SAE Combined Charging System, it can achieve an 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes. The model has an EPA range rating of 89 miles on a full charge3, and an EPA fuel economy rating of 126/103/114 MPGe (city/highway/combined)3. The Clarity Electric, Clarity Fuel Cell, launched in December 2016, and the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, arriving later in 2017, make Clarity the first ever vehicle series offering customers an array of electrified vehicle choices in a sophisticated, spacious and comprehensively equipped five-passenger sedan. The Clarity series will contribute to the company's target that two-thirds of its global automobile sales will come from electrified vehicles by 2030. Honda Clarity Series As the next progression of Honda's dynamic styling for electrified products, each Clarity variant has a low, wide aerodynamic body with unique design elements, including its own special hero color, and differentiated front styling, headlights, tail lamps, non-compromised trunk space, Honda Sensing standard and 18-inch alloy wheel designs. Combined with elegant and advanced exterior styling, each Clarity series vehicle has a spacious interior with comfortable seating for five adults, outfitted with premium, environmentally responsible materials. Offering Honda's "fun-to-drive"DNA, each Clarity variant provides a smooth, quiet and highly refined driving experience, aided by the smooth and seamless character of electric drive torque and acceleration. The Clarity series, Honda's platform for advanced technology powertrains, also features advanced technologies, including Display Audio with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™, and the full suite of Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technologies. With three different powertrains and luxury packaging, this shared "3-in-1"platform strategy will enable Honda to respond to infrastructure and market developments, provide customers nationwide with an ultra-low carbon vehicle that meets their lifestyle needs, and will take Honda toward higher volume sales of advanced powertrain products that will help reduce CO2 emissions. About Honda Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport/utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 34 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2016, more than 96 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts. # # # 1 2017 Clarity Electric expected to arrive at select Honda dealerships August 1, 2017. 2 Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, registration, license and dealer fees. For well qualified lessees. Subject to availability to California and Oregon residents on approved credit through Honda Financial Services. Closed end lease for 2017 Honda Clarity Electric for well qualified lessees. Not all applicants will qualify. No purchase option at lease end. Total monthly payments $9,684. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear, and 20 cents per mile over 20,000 miles per year. Lease includes Roadside Assistance. Total due at lease signing is $1,999 plus tax and registration and includes first month's payment and capitalized cost reduction of $1,730. Offer subject to change without notice. 3 Based on 2017 model-year EPA ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe and range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, lithium-ion battery pack age/condition and other factors.

via Electrek