Honda is launching the 2018 Clarity Electric in
select California and Oregon dealerships, announcing at the same time a new,
more affordable lease option.
The Japanese company will still not let you outright
purchase a Clarity Electric, but they will give you one for US$ 199 per month,
plus tax. The lease has a duration of 36 months and includes an allowance of
20,000 miles per year and 24/7 roadside assistance.
Honda has the federal tax credit built in the lease,
with buyers required to pay US$ 1,499 at signing the contract. Customers from
California or Oregon may qualify for state rebates of US$ 2,500.
The all-electric Honda Clarity is powered by an
electric motor that produces 161 hp and 299 Nm of torque. The motor gets
its juice from a 25.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack, enabling the Clarity
Electric to travel up to 143 km between charges.
For comparison, a Nissan Leaf uses a 40kWh battery
pack and can travel 150 miles according to EPA between charges. Plug it to a DC
Fast Charger and the Honda Clarity Electric will get up to 80 percent charge in
30 minutes. Use a 240-volt charger and the battery will be charged in 3.5
hours.
The Honda Clarity is offered in three distinctive
versions: electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell. Of the three, only the
plug-in hybrid version is available for outright purchase, with a starting
price of US$ 33,400.
