What engine does the Honda Clarity have?
The Honda Clarity lineup does not rely on a single engine. It offered three distinct powertrains across its variants: a plug‑in hybrid with a gasoline engine plus electric drive, a fully electric version with no gasoline engine, and a hydrogen fuel‑cell version that generates electricity to power an electric motor. Availability varied by year and market.
Powertrain overview
Below is a quick snapshot of how each Clarity variant is powered. The list reflects the propulsion architecture used in markets where these variants were sold in recent years.
- Clarity Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV): A 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine works in concert with an electric motor and a battery to drive the car and recharge the battery. This variant combines internal combustion propulsion with electric drive as part of a hybrid system.
- Clarity Electric (BEV): Entirely electric drivetrain with one or more electric motors and a large battery pack. There is no gasoline engine in this version; propulsion is exclusively electric.
- Clarity Fuel Cell (FCEV): Hydrogen fuel-cell stack generates electricity to power an electric motor; there is no traditional internal combustion engine. Refueling relies on hydrogen instead of gasoline.
Note: In the United States, Honda ended sales of the Clarity after the 2021 model year, with limited remaining leases or programs in prior years. Outside the U.S., Clarity variants appeared in certain markets for longer periods, subject to local infrastructure and incentives.
Variant details
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
The PHEV uses a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine paired with an electric propulsion system. The engine can assist propulsion and/or recharge the battery, providing a hybrid driving experience with the option to drive short distances on electric power alone before the gasoline engine engages.
Electric (BEV)
Fuel Cell (FCEV)
In the Fuel Cell variant, a hydrogen fuel‑cell stack creates electricity to run an electric motor. Because it uses hydrogen rather than gasoline, there is no internal combustion engine. Refueling is quick, but availability depends on local hydrogen infrastructure, which varies by region.
Summary
The Honda Clarity lineup encompasses three distinct propulsion systems rather than a single engine. The Plug-In Hybrid integrates a 1.5-liter gas engine with electric drive, the Electric version runs solely on battery electric power, and the Fuel Cell variant uses a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity for an electric motor. Availability has varied by year and market, and in the U.S., Clarity sales concluded after the 2021 model year.
