Honda will introduce a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that can also be recharged, becoming the first Japanese automaker to bring the technology to the market.

The five-seat crossover, based on the popular CR-V, will be manufactured in Ohio and sold in North America this spring, and imported to Japan this summer, Honda said Wednesday.

Japan¡¯s automakers, most notably Toyota, have embraced hydrogen as one option to reduce emissions, although the technology has been slow to gain adoption due to high prices and a lack of refueling infrastructure. By adding electric recharging capabilities, Honda is betting that it can ease drivers¡¯ anxiety over finding hydrogen stations.

¡°There is no right answer for FCEVs (fuel-cell electric vehicles) as yet,¡± said Koichi Ikoma, project leader for the new crossover. ¡°We want to provide it as one of the options to customers who are willing to ride the zero-emission wave.¡±

Honda is accepting advance orders for the CR-V e:FCEV from Thursday. The carmaker didn¡¯t disclose prices or a sales target. The crossover will use fuel-cell technology developed by Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, a joint venture between Honda and General Motors. It can run more than 60 kilometers on a battery charge and more than 600 km on hydrogen.

Japan was one of the first countries to formulate a national hydrogen strategy, pledging back in 2017 to promote production, transportation and storage technologies. Fuel cells using the element produce water and electricity.

Japan¡¯s second-largest carmaker aims to sell 100% electrified cars by 2040 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Hydrogen stations are increasing in Japan as well as in ¡°California, where the model will be sold and as many people use FCEVs there,¡± Ikoma said.

Honda came up with the plug-in feature ¡°to deal with the negative aspect¡± of fewer hydrogen stations, according to Junichi Miyahara, the Honda manager in charge of CR-V e:FCEV¡¯s product planning. The new model can be charged at battery charging stations and at home.