It’s a similar approach to the Hyundai Ioniq, which will offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions on the same platform, but Honda’s sales will begin with the Clarity Fuel Cell – this is available in Japan, but will launch in North America and Europe next year.

The Clarity Electric will be available shortly afterwards – Honda has yet to confirm this will be sold in Europe, but it is likely to be imported. There are no details yet about range, but it will be the brand’s second fully electric vehicle after the Jazz, which was sold in limited numbers in North America and Japan until last year.

Honda expects the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid to be the biggest-selling version, likely to offer a fully electric range of around 40 miles under real-world conditions – slightly less than the Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric vehicle but more than most PHEVs.