Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid to Arrive in Canada by Late 2017

While the prominent colours around this time of year tend to be white and gray, several automakers have been making announcements in the dead of winter that come with prominent swaths of green.

Earlier today in Montreal during Media Day at the Montreal Auto Show, 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, which will expand the company’s portfolio of electrified vehicles.

The Honda Clarity has been showcased primarily as a hydrogen fuel cell variant, but with hydrogen infrastructure still largely non-existent in Canada, it would seem to make sense to launch the model with a plug-in hybrid variant instead.

2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

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.

SEE ALSO: Ford Announces Plans for an All Electric SUV, Hybrid F-150 & Hybrid Mustang

Honda’s announcement is the latest in a host of similar proclamations made by automakers of late which show a growing commitment to the development and launch of more alternative powertrain vehicles for consumers.

 

Eric Novak

About Eric Novak

Eric Novak is a father of 4 who also thinks that environmental stewardship is a requisite of parenting. He's not a professional Dad nor is he an environmental scientist, but he's someone who gives a damn and is trying to make the right decisions as he lives his life as a father, environmentalist, part time professor and business owner. Eric has 4 children and resides in Ajax, Ontario.