Honda has officially introduced a new powertrain for its CR-V crossover in the United States. Dubbed the e:FCEV, it is said to combine the advantages of an electric and a hydrogen car. The company claims it’s the first mass-produced hydrogen hybrid in the States, but that statement sounds a bit too optimistic at a closer glance.
The matter is, although the CR-V e:FCEV (what a mouthful) is indeed considered a mass-market car by Honda, it is currently only available on lease terms. You cannot buy it outright and you’ll have to go to California to try it out, because it’s the only state where hydrogen gas stations are relatively common.
Powering the ride is a next-generation fuel cell array developed with the assistance of General Motors. It has an advertised capacity of 92.2 kilowatt-hours and is said to be only about 30% as expensive as the electrochemical generator used in the Clarity sedan lineup. Two hydrogen tanks on board can store up to 4.3 kilos (9.5 lbs) of condensed gas, which should be enough for 435 km (270 miles) of EPA-rated range.
In addition to that, the car has a 17.7-kWh battery that doubles as a power buffer for the fuel cell system and an independent energy source. You can charge it up from external sources and drive up to 79 km (49 miles) in full-electric mode even if the tanks are empty.
The only electric motor in the system drives the front wheels. In its U.S. spec, it delivers 177 PS (174 hp / 130 kW) and 310 Nm (229 lb-ft) of torque. The hydrogen-powered CR-V benefits from a much more rigid body structure than its petrol and part-electric cousins and rides on a thoroughly redesigned suspension with new springs, shock absorbers and sway bars.
From the outside, you can tell the CR-V e:FCEV from its peers by a special radiator grille, unique front bumper and 18-inch black wheels. The interior stays largely the same, but the HondaLink system on board now displays info about the nearest hydrogen gas stations.
According to Honda, normal sales should begin closer to the end of the year.
