Background: what was the Clarity lineup?
- Clarity Fuel Cell (FCEV): hydrogen-powered car designed for limited refueling infrastructure and higher vehicle costs.
- Clarity Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV): a dual-energy version with a gasoline engine and a plug-in electric range, positioned to appeal to buyers not ready to go all-electric.
- Clarity Electric (BEV): an all-electric variant with a conventional battery-electric drivetrain and a limited adoption footprint compared with other BEVs in the market.
Why Honda decided to discontinue
- Weak sales and limited demand for all three variants, particularly the Fuel Cell and specific BEV configurations, which made the business case unsustainable.
- High operating and development costs associated with maintaining and updating three separate powertrains on one platform.
- Hydrogen fueling infrastructure gaps in key markets, which hindered the adoption of the Clarity Fuel Cell and reduced its practicality for many customers.
- A strategic shift toward a mass-market BEV strategy, prioritizing scalable platforms and quick-to-market electric SUVs and crossovers.
- Dealership and service model complexities that arose from supporting multiple propulsion technologies in a crowded market.
What Honda is pursuing instead
- Honda Prologue: a dedicated battery-electric SUV developed with General Motors, aimed at strengthening Honda’s BEV presence in North America.
- Broader BEV and hybrid offerings across Honda’s global lineup, including more compact and mid-size electrified models designed for everyday usability and value.
- Strategic partnerships and platform-sharing to accelerate BEV development, reduce costs, and shorten time to market for new electric models.
Timeline at a glance
- The Clarity lineup was introduced with multiple variants as Honda experimented with alternative propulsion technologies.
- Through the late 2010s, sales remained limited, and the company faced ongoing cost pressures from maintaining three distinct powertrains.
- In 2021, Honda signaled the departure of the Clarity lineup from the U.S. market, with production winding down in the subsequent year.
- Honda announced a renewed BEV-focused plan, including the Prologue in partnership with GM, as part of a broader electrification push.
Summary
What car is Honda bringing back in 2026?
2026 Honda Prelude Hybrid
2026 Honda Prelude Hybrid - Exhilarating Hybrid Coupe.
Did Honda discontinue Clarity?
The Clarity PHEV was discontinued in 2021, along with the Fuel Cell model.
What billionaire drives a Honda Accord?
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos was still driving a 1997 Honda Accord years after becoming a billionaire. Bezos's choice of car came to light in a “60 Minutes” interview with Bob Simon in 1999. At that time, Amazon was a 5-year-old company known mainly as an online bookstore.
How much does it cost to replace the battery in a Honda Clarity?
How much does it cost to replace a Honda Clarity hybrid battery? At dealerships, it can run between $6,000 and $8,000. Greentec Auto provides more affordable options, depending on your model and the battery type selected.