The 2017 Honda Clarity Electric shows up in select car dealerships throughout California and Oregon this August with an initial lease cost of $269/month plus tax.
The 36-month lease requires a $1,730 down payment and includes an annual 20,000-mile allowance and 24/7 roadside help. The lease consists of a built-in federal tax credit, and California consumers may receive an extra state rebate of $2,500. The EV is one of 3 cars in Honda’s Clarity series, which also includes the Clarity Fuel Cell and the upcoming Clarity Plug-in Hybrid.
Geared up with a 25.5-kilowatt-hour battery and an electric motor creating 161 hp, the Clarity Electric can be completely charged in simply over 3 hours with a 240-volt charger. When utilizing a DC fast charger, the sedan can reach an 80-percent charge in just 30 minutes. However the vehicle is only rated to take a trip of 89 miles on a single charge, putting its range well below other electric vehicles including the Chevrolet Bolt, Volkswagen e-Golf, Hyundai Ioniq EV, Nissan Leaf, and others.
Thankfully, the Clarity Electric’s month-to-month lease price is $100 below the cost of the Clarity Fuel Cell, which accomplishes a range of 366 miles. Compared with conventional electric automobiles, the Clarity Electric has a relatively competitive lease cost, but it’s not a steal. Those who wish to buy one are out of luck these days, as there’s no purchase choice once the lease ends.
On the bright side, the 2017 Honda Clarity Electric provides the space and convenience of a midsize sedan, unlike other rivals. Honda has set enthusiastic goals for its Clarity series, wishing to sell 75,000 vehicles in the first 4 model years. From 2030, Honda targets two-thirds of its worldwide automobile sales to come from energized vehicles.