Honda said it will begin leasing the Clarity hydrogen fuel cell sedan for under $500 per month later this year in select California markets.
When Honda offers the car for retail sale, sometime after leasing begins, it will have a base price of “around” $60,000.
The Clarity will take on the Toyota Mirai and and Hyundai Tucson fuel cell vehicles in select California markets that have hydrogen filling stations, Mendel said.
The Clarity’s sticker price and estimated lease offer puts it roughly in line with the Mirai, which starts a little lower at around $57,300 including destination or for a $499 monthly lease payment. The Hyundai Tuscon fuel cell is also offered for a $499 per month lease.
As of this posting there are only five public stations with hydrogen pumps operational in California which is both a major and key hurdle for the first wave of hydrogen fuel cell cars being offered for retail sale in the state. Even with such small services open to drivers, Automakers are shippin gthe cars to customers to meet the California requirements to sell zero emission vehicles like fuel cells and battery-electric vehicles in increasing volumes through 2025.
Honda say 12 stations will be open by the end of the year, part of around 100 that come on line in the next few years.
