Honda is building a hydrogen CR-V in the factory where it made the NSX supercar

Honda is building a hydrogen-powered CR-V in the factory where it built the second-generation NSX supercar.

And in a unique application, this new CR-V - set to arrive in 2024 - will include a battery too. While Honda hasn’t released any powertrain specifics, it does say the battery can be charged via plug-in functionality and will power the car around town.

The hydrogen tank – able to be filled quickly – will then support “longer trips”. Think of this part essentially replacing the combustion engine in current plug-in hybrid vehicle setups.

It’ll be assembled at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Centre in Ohio, which has most recently been responsible for building the second-generation NSX, and PMC versions of the US-only TLX, RDX and MDX cars. Oh, and Honda’s racing cars.

“This makes the PMC uniquely suited to production of high-quality FCEVs, which require special assembly procedures,” says Honda. “This approach echoes the broad role that Honda’s Tochigi, Japan plant played in manufacturing both the original NSX supercar starting in 1989 and, later, the Honda FCX Clarity FCEV in 2008.”

Ah yes, the Clarity. Honda proudly points to its history in bringing hydrogen tech to full production cars, and indeed has spent more than $14m investing in California’s hydrogen refuelling network. The company plans on only building battery- and fuel-cell-powered cars by 2040.

Now, a hydrogen fuelled next-generation NSX would be something…