MARYSVILLE, Ohio — More and more electric cars are hitting the roads, and because of this, many manufacturers have switched from making fuel-powered cars to electric vehicles.
The Honda manufacturing plant in Marysville showed Wednesday that they are taking a different approach to electric vehicles.
Employees rolled out the new Honda CR-V, the first hydrogen-electric powered vehicle that combines battery technology and the use of hydrogen for power.
The emission-free vehicle will be leased to drivers in California where hydrogen fuel stations already exist.
"We wanted to combine both the battery technology, the EV technology, so we could have some plug-in capabilities for short trips, as well as the hydrogen allows you for extended travel,” said Engineering Project Leader Joe Mazzocchi.
According to the International Energy Agency, electric car sales could reach 17 million this year. That’s about one in every five cars sold worldwide.
The combined total mileage of the car with the fuel cell battery and hydrogen is 270 miles.
“One of the big benefits of the vehicle is that it is emissions-free, so moving towards that direction for a carbon neutral society. It kind of ranges throughout the years for that cost of the hydrogen, refilling only takes about three to five minutes,” said Mazzocchi.
Last year. Gov. Mike DeWine announced a $140 million investment in charging stations for electric vehicles.
The price for the new car has yet to be determined and there’s no set date when the vehicles will be available for use in Ohio.
Mazzocchi says Honda's goal is to become 100% electric by 2040.