Honda pulls the plug on Clarity sedan

LOS ANGELES — Honda's Clarity line of electrified vehicles has always been part comfortable sedan and part science experiment. That experiment will be over in August, when the automaker ends production of the plug-in hybrid and fuel cell versions.

With its bulbous front end and partially covered rear wheels, the Clarity's styling was anything but mainstream. The all-electric version, discontinued last year, had just 89 miles of range, and the fuel cell variant is available only near California hydrogen stations.

The plug-in hybrid offers 47 miles of electric-only range and is a fairly common sight in California's carpool lanes that exempt low-emission vehicles from the two-passenger minimum.

Honda, which has been slow to embrace widespread electrification, has switched gears and said that it will rely more on hybrids and battery-electric vehicles as part of long-term product plans.

"We are evolving our strategy with a focus on increased application of our two-motor hybrid system to core models in advance of the introduction of our first volume BEV models in 2024," Honda said in a statement.

"Consistent with this strategy, Honda will conclude production of the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and Clarity Fuel Cell in August 2021. This will ensure we have the Clarity Fuel Cell available for lease through 2022."

The fuel cell version is a lease-only vehicle that comes with a fuel card for up to $15,000 of hydrogen for the three-year term and up to 21 days of complimentary car rentals for trips outside the limited areas of California with hydrogen stations.

Honda said it will continue to support Clarity owners and that fuel cell vehicles will play a key role in its zero-emission strategy.

"With a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, Honda has set a target to make 100 percent of our vehicle sales battery-electric or fuel cell electric by 2040," the company said.