Honda Takes A Gamble On Electric
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Honda announced in late-March that it will aggressively pursue vehicle electrification. With a goal of two-thirds of brand sales coming from battery or hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles by 2030, the Japanese manufacturer is bullish on alternative fuels.
Though a pioneer in battery and hydrogen powertrains beginning with its (now defunct) Insight hybrid in 2000, Honda has had little impact on the electric vehicle market and only sold one battery-powered model in 2016, the Accord Hybrid sedan. The move to electrification marks a significant shift for a brand that has built its U.S. success on gauging consumer demand for efficient, gas-powered small cars and crossovers.
In 2016 the Civic, CR-V, and Accord were the three top-selling vehicles in the retail market – after full-size pickups – with combined sales of more than one million units.
To mark Honda’s new product ambitions, the company has invited national media to test drive its flagship EV, the Clarity Fuel Cell – the first of three alternative powertrain Clarity vehicles to hit the market this year. The others, a plug-in electric vehicle and full-EV, will be introduced at the New York Auto Show. Honda will also announce an all-new hybrid vehicle in 2018.
Though a pioneer in battery and hydrogen powertrains beginning with its (now defunct) Insight hybrid in 2000, Honda has had little impact on the electric vehicle market and only sold one battery-powered model in 2016, the Accord Hybrid sedan. The move to electrification marks a significant shift for a brand that has built its U.S. success on gauging consumer demand for efficient, gas-powered small cars and crossovers.
In 2016 the Civic, CR-V, and Accord were the three top-selling vehicles in the retail market – after full-size pickups – with combined sales of more than one million units.
To mark Honda’s new product ambitions, the company has invited national media to test drive its flagship EV, the Clarity Fuel Cell – the first of three alternative powertrain Clarity vehicles to hit the market this year. The others, a plug-in electric vehicle and full-EV, will be introduced at the New York Auto Show. Honda will also announce an all-new hybrid vehicle in 2018.
