Clarity Fuel Cell

Make
Honda
Segment
Sedan

The world has seemingly embraced the idea that electrification is the future of the automobile if we're to reduce carbon emissions and the reliance on fossil fuels. It's no longer just a notion pioneered by Tesla, but adopted by the likes of the Porsche with the Taycan, as well as forthcoming electric cars from high profile brands like Ferrari. The little guys are getting involved, too, with the potential still for the adorable Honda E to come to the US in the future as the Japanese brand's first mainstream EV. Until now, Honda has focused on internal combustion, a well as placing a heavy focus on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles like the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, and it seems certain high-up execs aren't too happy with the idea of shifting the focus to EVs.

That's according to the Windsor Star, who interviewed Honda Canada's new CEO, where he gave a scathing indictment of EVs, calling them nothing more than a "political agenda."

Jean Marc Leclerc has cited a number of problems he has with EVs, saying that governments are pushing for reduced greenhouse gas emissions by means of selling more EVs, but there's simply not enough demand. The lack of demand means that in order to make them financially appealing to buyers, manufacturers have to sell cars at a loss - something the late Sergio Marchionne was very open about.

According to Leclerc, "Nobody wants to talk about how much this costs and what people are prepared to pay. They're just forging forward thinking we have all the solutions and we don't." While he does agree that electrification is the future, he says there's a massive disconnect at the moment between the political drive to get there and the current market demand.

According to Leclerc, studies have shown that buyers are only really willing to spend up to $700 Canadian ($500 USD) more for an electric vehicle, and the cuts needed to achieve such a price fall squarely on the shoulders of the manufacturer.

"The reality is we're a long way from that in a cost perspective," he said, while also telling how Honda Canada has been pushing for a more balanced approach towards reducing greenhouse gases. Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) could be the alternative, however, as these are true zero-emission vehicles that could bring down overall fleet emission values in conjunction with hybrid vehicles. However, with few manufacturers focusing on the technology, it seems that the forced adoption of EVs is something we're stuck with.