Honda's Hydrogen CR-V That's Hybrid

 Honda's Unique Hydrogen Fuel Cell Version of CR-V

                                         Source:  Honda

Something New & Unique on the Car Market

Honda has developed an industry-leading, plug-in, hydrogen vehicle that is a unique concept. They've created a hydrogen version of their very popular CR-V compact SUV that also offers the capacity to plug-in to recharge electricity into the battery.  The new CR-V hydrogen-plug-in version will be built in the US, specifically in Ohio, starting in 2024.  And it will greatly resemble the current CR-V crossover. It has the potential of being a game-changer among vehicles pushing the future of greener, zero emissions driving.  The only emissions this CR-V will have is water vapor. And it combines hydrogen fuel cell technology with battery electric technology.  It is a tour de force in green driving. Hydrogen vehicles take the same time to fill-up as a gas-powered car. They have very long range. And H2 vehicles' emissions are nothing more than water vapor.

What To Expect & Tech Specs

The new hydrogen CR-V looks like the current CR-V crossover with a few minor changes.  There will be new badges and possibly different headlights and taillights. Honda hasn't disclosed much technological information other than the new powertrain unit underpinning the vehicle is the result of a collaboration with GM. And the fuel cell unit, that converts hydrogen into electricity to power the electric motors, is more powerful than Honda's previous h-vehicle Clarity and uses 80% less platinum, which significantly cuts the cost. The hydrogen tank on the H2-CR-V is placed at the rear of the vehicle.  

Part of the Future of Driving is Hydrogen Powered

Besides Honda, a number of major automakers, like Toyota with its Mirai and Hyundai with its Nexo, are developing and marketing hydrogen cars. So, development of these carbon-free emissions vehicles is expanding. The issue is that globally, the hydrogen filling station network infrastructure needs to catch up with the technological breakthroughs now starting to happen in the development of hydrogen cars.  That is why the Honda hybrid electric-hydrogen CR-V is so interesting as a unique concept to start bridging the gap to a hydrogen vehicle infrastructure system.  We don't know how much electric range the plug-in capacity of the new CR-V offers. But we expect more specifics throughout 2023 from Honda. The hydrogen CR-V is a fascinating look at the future of driving.