It is not the lack of FCEVs, it is a lack of H2 availability where the problem is. Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Feb. 28, 2024 2025 Honda CRVe(-29):FCEV Honda revealed America’s first hydrogen fuel cell PHEV, the 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV. A compact CUV with a 270-mile rated range. The 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV will be available for customer leasing in California and only California beginning later this year. Standard features include HondaLink which will include both H2 refueling station and L2 charging information data. In addition, the included Honda Power Supply Connector utilizes a 110V power outlet that can deliver up to 1,500 watts of power to run small home appliances, portable air conditioners, and power tools as just a few examples. The CR-V e:FCEV is built at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, and is the only fuel cell electric passenger vehicle made in America. The 5-passenger CUV is the first application of the second-generation Honda Fuel Cell Module, which is produced at Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, LLC (FCSM) in Michigan, offering improved durability, higher efficiency, increased refinement, and lower cost. 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV Standard Features All-new 2nd-generation Fuel Cell Module 270 mile range L2 charging capability with 29 miles of all-electric range Four selectable drive modes, including Snow and Sport To improve range, a full floor undercover and unique front spoiler and strake lowers drag. The Honda CR-V’s cabin features a striking metal honeycomb mesh dash concealing the air vents that would otherwise mar the modern design. Honda will offer CR-V e:FCEV in Touring trim with standard features that include 10.2” driver display, 9” touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless Qi charging, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, power adjustable heated front seats, heated steering wheel, dual zone climate control, handsfree access power tailgate, parking sensors and sustainable materials including bio-based leather seat upholstery. The new CR-V e:FCEV uses the same cutting edge safety technologies as other CR-Vs, including Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) architecture and the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. 2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV Platform The 2025 CR-V e:FCEV uses a front-mounted single-motor producing 174 hp and 229 lb.-ft. of torque. Rear lateral rigidity is increased 10%, rear torsional rigidity has improved 9% and its MacPherson strut front suspension and multilink rear suspension have been completely retuned with specific springs, amplitude-sensitive dampers and stabilizer bars. CR-V e:FCEV qualifies for California HOV lane access to reduce commute times. Where the H2 FCEV unfortunately falls apart The following was taken from a 1st gen Toyota Mirai owner who was filling at a True Zero H2 station in Burbank, CA earlier this week. From essentially empty, this owner spent $169.88 to fill his 312-mile range rated Mirai at $36/kg. That is the equivalent of $0.54/mile at its rated range. To compare, a 46-mpg rated 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid XSE owner while refueling at $4.50/gallon <-- Very typical in CA this week, would incur a cost of just $0.097/mile or just 1/5th the price. Considering just 10 years ago, the original promise of $3.00/kg H2 has now been proven to be an inaccurate assessment of future Hydrogen prices. In fact, hydrogen prices have doubled over the past 3 years. In January of 2021, I was refueling a 2021 Mirai for just $16.43/kg of H2. Next is the station uptime and availability… Earlier this month, Shell said they will no longer operate any H2 LD passenger refueling stations in CA due to hydrogen supply complications and other external market factors. They permanently closed stations 7 stations in Berkley, Citrus Heights, Sacramento, 3 in San Francisco and another in San Jose. It was just two years ago they closed their very reliable Torrance H2 refueling facility. Last September, True Zero sent out the following notice: This supply disruption was not isolated to True Zero but to Iwatani and Shell during that period as well. Del Mar is the only H2 refueling station in all of San Diego County which left those owners with no fuel to drive their Mirai’s for weeks. This is not the first nor the last notice posted regarding a lack of H2 availability in various regions of California posted over the years that I have been following the Mirai FB forums. Currently of the 54 H2 stations in all California, 17 are out of service and this is a good day in terms of H2 LD refueling facility up time. Up next is the resale. While Toyota has offered more than generous terms to purchase a Mirai over the past 7 years including $15k fuel cards ending in 2023 and rebates as much as $40k off the price of their $67k 2nd gen Mirai Limited. This fantastic car, built off the extremely luxurious Lexus LS platform, is essentially unsellable due to the unreliability of the fuel supply and the sky-high price for the fuel itself. One owner just traded his 2021 Mirai XLE in with 47k miles and received $10k for it. This is what the sustainable hydrogen miracle is up against. It just is not working, and it may be another decade or more if ever before it does. This is not good for any of us no matter if we live in California and own a Toyota Mirai, Honda Clarity, Hyundai Nexo, and the upcoming CR-V e:FCEV … or not.
Maybe California could improve the supply if they relax the 30% renewable requirement. Though hydrogen from natural gas does undermine the intent. Well, you might have to replace the hydrogen that vents out at some point.
Yes, I would have to make sure the car can run without the primary fuel. I suppose that's a problem with existing ICE plug-in hybrids, too...
$169.88!? When(if) I can afford an EV, I will charge the battery pack at the apt. EVSE. For 312 miles of charge, I'll have to wait 12(+?) hours over a couple of chargings. Since I do a lot of waiting anyhow, that will be easy-peasy, I won't have money while paying for the EV(don't have much now). That's why all my walking has been so good, even after the heart attack. It's great that the apt charger will be free. At least, that is what the apt. landlord presently says.
