Motor vehicles powered by fuel cells are often a source of debate. Some people feel that they’re a great idea that can help wean nations off foreign supplies of oil. Other people feel that research money would be better spent on the fuel efficiency of conventional engines. Regardless of which side scientists take, there have been a few developments in the fuel cell industry that are turning car buff’s heads.

Honda Fit EV lease packages are set to hit desks on the West Coast later on in July. The new vehicle uses components from the four-year-old Honda Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle to boost up the Fit’s single-charge range. The air conditioning and electric motor control box are taken from the Clarity to ensure that the vehicle doesn’t disappoint consumers like so many other electric vehicles have.

While it might look futuristic, the Honda Fit also features several other interesting options taken out of the older Clarity. For instance, the regenerative braking system seems to have come out of the Clarity’s chassis. This system allows the energy produced by braking to be supplied as electrical current. This means that the car can carry a lighter lithium-ion battery pack than those carried by the electric Ford Focus and the Nissan Leaf.

The EPA granted the Fit EV an equivalent rating of 118 miles-per-gallon. This is the second highest they’ve ever given. The Tesla Roadster received a 119 MPGe, but it has since been discontinued in the United States. With a range of 82 miles, the Honda Fit is better than any other non-Tesla U.S production vehicle expect the Coda Sedan.

Consumers might not want to deal with the sticker shock, however. When the Fit EV will be available for lease in Oregon and California later in July, the monthly price will come to $389. That’s $60 more than the lease on a new Nissan Leaf. For that matter, its $140 more each month than the lease on a new Mitsubishi i. However, the fact that it outperforms either of these vehicles could make consumers turn a blind eye to the high price. After all, they might be able to make up the difference in cash with fuel economy.