Newshot Honda discontinues production of CR-V e:FCEV hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, with only about 300 leased over its lifetime
IT之家 reported on November 14 that, according to CarBuzz, Honda has stopped production of its CR-V e:FCEV model, which uses hydrogen fuel cell technology. This model is equipped with both a hydrogen fuel cell and an external charging port, making it a relatively special plug-in hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. With its discontinuation, there is one fewer hydrogen fuel cell passenger car on the market.
Honda confirmed in a statement to CarBuzz that the company has ended production and sales of the 2026 CR-V e:FCEV. The last vehicle left dealer showrooms as early as nearly six months ago, the last vehicle available for consumer leasing was leased in July 2026, and no 2027 model will be launched.
For existing owners, Honda will continue to provide repair services, parts, warranty, and hydrogen fuel card support. Because the CR-V e:FCEV is sold entirely through leasing, related support will continue until the last lease contract expires. Honda told CarBuzz that over the entire production cycle, the model was leased to consumers about 300 units cumulatively.
Honda launched the CR-V e:FCEV in February 2024 and called it “the first mass-produced plug-in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle in the United States.” The car is equipped with a relatively small traction battery, and after a full charge, its pure electric range can reach up to 29 miles (about 47 km). When the battery is depleted, the vehicle uses hydrogen from its storage tanks and generates electricity through the fuel cell to drive the vehicle, with a combined range of up to 270 miles (about 435 km). The model is available only in California, US, and is lease-only.
In fact, multiple automakers including Honda, Toyota, BMW, and Hyundai have launched hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, hoping to retain a refueling experience similar to gasoline cars while achieving zero-emission driving. For Honda, the CR-V e:FCEV is also its second large-scale attempt at hydrogen vehicles; the company previously also launched the Clarity series, offering battery-electric and plug-in hybrid versions.
Public information shows that the CR-V e:FCEV is produced at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center plant in Ohio, US, a specialized plant that previously produced the Acura NSX supercar. The car is also the only hydrogen fuel cell passenger vehicle produced locally in the US, and the fuel cell it carries was jointly developed by Honda and General Motors.
However, earlier this year Honda announced that it would stop production of this fuel cell system jointly developed with General Motors. As an alternative, Honda plans to independently develop next-generation fuel cells, but it is currently unclear when the relevant technology will enter the market, and even whether it can ultimately be commercialized is uncertain.
From a market performance perspective, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have never gained widespread recognition. Toyota Mirai sold only 210 units in the US last year, and only 499 the year before; even with large discounts from manufacturers, even making the actual purchase cost close to zero, sales remained sluggish. The Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle sold only 5 units in the US in 2025, and only 94 in 2024.
From a market outlook perspective, although hydrogen fuel cell vehicles combine the advantages of zero-emission driving and fast refueling, the current US hydrogen refueling infrastructure available for such vehicles is very limited, with dozens of hydrogen refueling stations mainly concentrated in two regions of California.
In addition, most hydrogen is still produced through methods such as steam methane reforming of natural gas, and is not truly green energy. Insufficient refueling facilities, hydrogen production methods that are not environmentally friendly enough, and the now continuously improving range and declining prices of battery electric vehicles all put hydrogen fuel cell vehicles under greater market competition pressure, so Honda ultimately stopping production of the CR-V e:FCEV is also reasonable.
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