Clarity Full Electric

Sorry craze1cars you can’t possibly be correct because the vast majority of Americans have never heard of this car!!

 

Before our Bolt we had a Spark EV with 90 mile range. Never once had any range anxiety, we knew the range and thought ahead. Granted now we can drive the EV down to Oregon State and back to visit our daughter without worrying about charging but we really liked the Spark and was a big reason on going to the Bolt. Most trips over 300 miles we take my Clarity PHEV, if Electrify America sites cut their prices by at least 30% then it would be cheaper to take the EV than the Clarity(I know the Bolt can't charge that fast but I drool when I see the 350kw DC Combo cord sitting there)

 

I would trade in my PHEV Clarity and pick one of those up in a heartbeat if they were available here in WA. I have a truck I can use for trips. This would get me enough electric range for almost everything I do. Plus, that blue is stunning.

Of course I think they should release a 200+ mile version ASAP, but that’s going to come with an associated price increase for sure.

 

Like DucRider, I had the Fit EV for 5 years and 85K miles when I finally turned it in. I was contemplating a 6th year extension but when I got the 1000 dollar loyalty award, that pushed me over the edge to get a much bigger and luxurious car, slightly better range, same 199 dollar/mth lease, and 2500 dollar state rebate.

After a year, it is still a joy to drive and have zero regerts (sic). In 2 more years i might be looking at a 200+ mile car but then again, I expect Honda to offer a lease extension and I think it will be hard to pass up.

John

 

Same reason I bought my 2014 Leaf used a couple of years ago. I have another car for longer trips, and 70 miles range is long enough for 80% of the trips we take. Very low cost of ownership. Nice driving car for a low price. The Electric Clarity was not designed to be a mass market car. 90 miles of range does make most people rule it out right away without any further consideration.

 

Range anxiety? Just charge the car at a DCFC. The car will charge at up to 44kW; more typically 32-33. The longer range vehicles that are affordable will take proportionately longer to charge. After 20-25 minutes, we are at 85% and ready to drive for another 75 minutes or so. Many of the shorter range BEVs have been removed from the US marketplace, which I think is a shame since the smaller battery packs are lighter and cheaper. The public charger infrastructure is getting built out more rapidly with Electrify America, making shorter range vehicles easier than ever to use.

 

Sounds like you full electric buyers sure are happy with your purchase. Sorry I can't give you a pat on the back through the computer, because this thread shows you are in desperate need of one. I could however drive there without stopping to charge my car anywhere.

 

I often whine inappropriately on this Clarity forum that I want Honda to bring their all-electric Europe/Japan-only 124-mile range Honda e (or whatever name it eventually gets) to the US. That range is all I'd need for around town. Our Clarity can handle the long-haul duties.

BMW is planning to sell an all-electric 124-mile range "Mini Cooper S E" in the US next year. The electric Mini's name gets an "S" because BMW is positioning it as a sporty "hot hatch." So it's good that the designers are keeping the weight down to around 3,000 lbs instead of burdening the car with a heavier battery to compete with the range of the Chevy Bolt and Kia Niro electric crossovers. Of course, there's not room in the existing Mini for a bigger battery without sacrificing the rear seat and cargo area.

 

What?!? What? Minis have a real backseat and trunk now?

 

Before I got the PHEV Clarity, I was actually looking at the FCV and EV versions first.

The FCV was attractive because it has water as it's emission burning hydrogen and the hydrogen fuel was free.
The EV was also attractive due to the very low cost per month ($199) for a lease. Since I have an ICE for distance and trips, the EV would be perfect for the daily commute car.

However neither were available off the lot - they had a long wait lists.

Still happy with the PHEV version....

 

[QUOTE="RogerB, post: 61096, member: 9311"I could however drive there without stopping to charge my car anywhere.[/QUOTE]
As you are driving, you could go past one of our local oil refineries which had an "incident" that sent 10,000 people to seek care for respiratory problems. You could pat yourself on the back as you drive by. I drive fossil when I have to; will not mock anyone for driving PHEV as we once did.

 

Yes, you indeed made a very wise decision by selecting the PHEV and are to be commended for making the only intelligent choice.

 

The BEV lease is a good choice if it’s a good choice for you. I bought the PHEV because at the time I had to commute too far for any non-Tesla BEV a few times a month. Now, I no longer need to do that and would be just fine with the BEV.

I will say that after a few years of dealing with a LEAF and trying to do the longer distance with fast charging thing, I wouldn’t go back to that with any car if it was necessary on a regular basis for my commute.

Honda, please get a 250 mile range and >100kW DCFC with Clarity comfort and I’m all in.

 

I'm dying to know what the Pilot PHEV's EV range will be. It's a big vehicle so it could hold a big battery, right? The Clarity PHEV's battery pack is so carefully tailored to maximize the passenger and cargo space in the Clarity that I'm certain Honda will not use it in the Pilot PHEV. The question is whether Honda will keep the price down by giving the Pilot PHEV a similarly sized 17 kWh battery (offering a scant 30-mile range?) or create the monarch of PHEVs with a big range, a DCFC port, and a correspondingly big price. BTW, why haven't we heard anything about the Pilot PHEV since a few spy photos graced the web last June? Will it show up at the LA show in November? Since when is Honda so mum? Oh right, always.