Honda has axed the Clarity Electric after introducing it to select states in the U.S. less than three years ago. Although its departure leaves Honda without any pure electric vehicles in the U.S., we can’t say we’re surprised. It was a low-volume model, and more importantly, it delivered a very uncompetitive 89 miles of range.
That’s piddling compared to a growing number of mainstream electric cars that can travel more than 200 miles on a single charge. These long-range EVs include the Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Soul Electric, Kia Niro Electric, and Nissan Leaf Plus. Even the regular Nissan Leaf (150 miles) and Hyundai Ioniq Electric (170 miles) blew the Clarity Electric away, as did the recently discontinued VW e-Golf (125 miles).
More Videos
First Test: Honda Clarity PHEV
MotorTrend’s 2019 Car of the Year: The Overview
8 Reasons Why the Honda e Should Come to the US
5 Cool Things: the All-New 2020 Ford Explorer
5 Cool Things: the All-New 2020 Hyundai Palisade
The Breakdown: Honda Civic Touring vs. Toyota Corolla XSE
Comparison Test: 2019 Honda Civic Si vs. 2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport
The Breakdown: Compact Sedan Three-Way Comparo
Comparison Test: 2019 Honda Civic Si vs. 2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport
2020 Honda Civic Si Sedan
2020 Honda Civic Si Coupe
Need to Know: How the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid Is the Fastest and Most Efficient CR-V
Honda confirmed to MotorTrend that Clarity Electric production ended late last year, and it’s no longer available on the automaker’s website. Moving forward, the company is focusing on its next generation of electrified products. “We will be introducing new, highly appealing all-electric vehicles for the U.S. market in the years ahead,” Honda told us.
Honda continues to offer two other Clarity models: a fuel cell variant and a plug-in hybrid. Given the nation’s limited hydrogen infrastructure, the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is by far the more practical offering. It offers 47 miles of all-electric range and hundreds more when the gas engine kicks in. Now that Chevrolet has discontinued the Volt, the Clarity might attract those customers looking for the flexibility offered by a plug-in hybrid.
If Honda has to offer a low-range electric vehicle in the U.S., we’d much rather have the adorable Honda E. But there’s no indication that this city runabout will make its way to our shores. Honda’s EV plans for the U.S. remain a mystery, but Automotive News reported last year that the automaker is preparing a global electric vehicle platform that will underpin larger rear-wheel-drive EVs for the U.S. The architecture will reportedly arrive before 2025.
