Honda Canada announced that it will begin selling the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid in 2017 and will introduce a new dedicated hybrid model that will be made in North America and launch nationwide in 2018, as part of the Honda Electrification Initiative.
No extra details have been disclosed. The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid will probably use a powertrain based on the Accord’s two-motor hybrid system, which develops a combined 212 horsepower.
The Clarity Fuel Cell, a hydrogen-powered, premium midsize sedan, was unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April 2016. The Honda Clarity will initially be offered in California, with leasing options starting last December.
Honda also announced that fully electric and plug-in hybrid versions of the Clarity would also eventually hit the market.
Honda Canada also announced it will expand alternative fuel vehicles to its light truck lineup in the future.
Earlier this month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Honda’s global CEO Mr. Takahiro Hachigo said, “”half of the all-new models that Honda will launch in the United States in the coming two years will be electrified vehicles. In the long term, electrified vehicles are key to the future of carbon-free mobility.”
“Today, Honda Canada announced that its new product launch cadence would reflect the U.S. strategy as we prepare to introduce all-new alternative fuel vehicles
to the Canadian market,” said Jean Marc Leclerc.
Honda has set a global target for two-thirds of all sales to come from electrified models by 2030 and to halve its total company CO2 emissions from 2000 levels by
2050.
The new, dedicated hybrid vehicle will utilize Honda’s innovative two-motor hybrid system, which is currently deployed in the 5.8L/100km Accord Hybrid. The new
model will be produced at an existing plant in the United States. Additional details on the vehicle and its manufacturing will be announced closer to launch.
