I saw these notes on the H-Mirai and I wanted to share my experience with you on leasing the H-Clarity, which was not positive.
I used the same positive points you mentioned in my decision to lease the car (tax credits, H-fuel card, HOV sticker and unlimited HOV lane access with 1 driver is a huge positive in CA traffic, etc.); however, what I did not expect was the H-fueling infrastructure limitations, maintenance costs and insurance cost issues.
At no time did I anticipate that these fueling stations would be broken, out of service, out of H or that there would be lines of 6-10 cars waiting for the single H pump that turns a 5 min fill into a 35-60min errand. One more thing, if you’re filling your car immediately after someone else, the H filling pump handle will be frozen with ice and you have to wait for the pump handle to warm up before you can use it. The H is stored compressed and at very cold temps.
These H stations will also limit how much H you can put in your tank. When the station is low on H fuel, the pump will only let you put in 1kg when the car tank has a 5kg capacity. You can’t fill multiple times because each fill is tied to your H-debit card. If you drive a lot on freeways at 70mph, the range is 245 to 260 miles max, not the 316 advertised miles.
The maintenance is expensive at $485 per year and it’s only at the 6 or 7 CA dealerships that can lease these cars. I only pay $48/year for my other Hondas to do the annual maintenance/oil change. The $485/yr cost is ridiculous and it takes the whole day or it’s an overnight job because of labor shortage for the H-tech mechanics. The service is very friendly though.
Another negative was insurance coverage. I have a clean record and pay $750/year for our new Odyssey, but the H-Clarity insurance is $3,700/year!!! This is from All-State. Other carriers all quoted over $3k/yr for an adult with clean records. Why? They said it’s a $60k-$70k car with complex new tech, so if there is any semi-serioius accident with these cars the carriers will total the vehicle and write it off as a loss. Big surprise to me and a huge dent in my perceived savings.
Anyway, I called Honda and told them to take the lease back expecting them to fight me and force me to keep it the full 36 month term, but the Honda Rep said sure and took the lease back. Honda said many customers have been returning the cars. So, my negative experience is not unique.
To sum up, people should know some of the negatives about these cars. I was a huge fan of electric and Hydrogen, but I didn’t know or expect these negatives and people should know. This H-car caused me a lot of anxiety and I would not buy or lease another one unless they have 10x more H stations and the performance and range are improved.
