Which Honda fuel-cell car began U.S. leasing in July 2008?

The Honda FCX Clarity began U.S. leasing in July 2008. It was Honda’s hydrogen fuel-cell electric sedan and the production successor to the earlier Honda FCX demonstration vehicle.

The FCX Clarity used hydrogen to generate electricity in a fuel-cell stack, powering an electric motor without tailpipe carbon emissions. Honda limited its initial U.S. leasing program largely to Southern California, where hydrogen-refueling infrastructure was available. The lease included services such as maintenance and roadside assistance, reflecting the vehicle’s experimental status.

A common mix-up is the name “Clarity.” Honda later used that name for the Clarity Fuel Cell, Clarity Electric, and Clarity Plug-in Hybrid. Those were later vehicles, not the model that launched the 2008 leasing program. The FCX Clarity was also different from the Honda EV Plus, an earlier battery-electric car.