Honda has always kept a front-facing image of being focused on efficiency. The automaker was the first to sell a hybrid in the United States?the original Insight two-seater, back in 1999. In recent years, however, hybrids have made up less than 1 percent of the company’s U.S. sales. When it comes to hybrids and plug-ins, Honda has a lot of catching up to do. 
But Honda has big plans to address that. By 2030, the company aims to electrify 65 percent of its global fleet. Battery-electric vehicles will make up some of that, but hybrids and plug-in hybrids will play a major role in meeting the goal.
In a recent media panel, global president and CEO Takahiro Hachigo gave a few more details about how the automaker is going to reach that ambitious target, as well as its aim for 2050?to cut its total CO2 emissions to half of what they were in 2000.
After the reintroduction of the Honda Accord hybrid this past year, a trio of new Honda Clarity models is a start, showing how the automaker can cover the green-vehicle bases with three different powertrains: fuel cell, electric, and plug-in hybrid. However, this model, with its quirky styling, large-sedan packaging, and highish prices, still doesn’t directly take on mainstream green cars such as the Toyota Prius or the Hyundai Ioniq. The Clarity fits right in with what we said in reviewing the original Insight 17 years ago: “High-mileage cars are to the auto industry what art-house films are to movies.”
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