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How to add USB-C to Honda Clarity PHEV

This guide will walk you through the process of adding modern USB-C charging ports to your Honda Clarity PHEV, both in the front niche and the rear console. This is a relatively simple modification that can be done with basic tools and some patience.

Tools and spares needed

Part 1: Front niche Installation

This section covers the installation in the front panel that houses the 12V power outlet.

1. Disassembly

First, you need to remove the panel.

This is the area we will be working on. This is the area we will be working on.

Use a pry tool to gently pop out the panel from the back where sockets. Use a pry tool to gently pop out the panel from the back where sockets. There is keyless access antenna behind that panel. You should unscrew it.

There are a few clips holding it in place at front side. Be careful not to break them how I almost do. There are a few clips holding it in place at front side. Be careful not to break them how I almost do.

Pull out the panel with the front side facing first. Pull out the panel with the front side facing first.

Once the panel is loose, you can disconnect the wiring harness. Once the panel is loose, you can disconnect the wiring harness.

2. Drilling and Chargers Installation

Now it’s time to make space for the new USB-C sockets and connect them.

Use a step drill to create the holes for the new sockets. Measure the diameter of your USB-C chargers to ensure a snug fit. Use a step drill to create the holes for the new sockets. Measure the diameter of your USB-C chargers to ensure a snug fit.

The panel with the new holes drilled and charger installed. The panel with the new holes drilled and charger installed.

The removed panel ready to install The removed panel ready to install

But we cannot install the panel now because there is a keyless access antenna bracket behind the panel. It needs to be removed, and a space cut out for the chargers.

Drilling bracket started Drilling bracket started

Don’t forget to connect antenna. I put it behind main bracket and tied it with nylon ties. Don’t forget to connect antenna. I put it behind main bracket and tied it with nylon ties.

Cut and try to fit panel until it fits completely Cut and try to fit panel until it fits completely

3. Wiring Preparation

Next, prepare the wiring to power the new sockets. We will take power from stock cigarette lighting socket. Lets use our spare wiring to create Y-connector that powers additional chargers.

Prepare your spare wiring and soldering tools. Prepare your spare wiring and soldering tools.

Measure and strip two pieces of spare wire, 15-20 cm long.

Solder the wires to create a Y-splitter. This will allow you to power both the original 12V socket and the new USB-C sockets. Solder the wires to create a Y-splitter. This will allow you to power both the original 12V socket and the new USB-C sockets.

Use heat shrink tubing to insulate the solder joints. After shrinking wrap wires with fabric tape Use heat shrink tubing to insulate the solder joints. After shrinking wrap wires with fabric tape

Now time to connect our new harness to wires of the cigarette lighter power connector.

Remove part of the insulation after the connector that powers stock cigarette lighter. Remove part of the insulation after the connector that powers stock cigarette lighter.

Use a multimeter to check the voltage and polarity of the original socket’s connector. Use a multimeter to check the voltage and polarity of the original socket’s connector.

Solder your new wiring harness to the original connector wires maintaining polarity Solder your new wiring harness to the original connector wires maintaining polarity

Connect your new wiring harness to new USB-C chargers and check panel fit. Connect your new wiring harness to new USB-C chargers and check panel fit.

The back of the panel with all sockets wired up. And antenna tied to inner bracket The back of the panel with all sockets wired up. And antenna tied to inner bracket

Front chargers ready Front chargers ready

Part 2: Rear Console Installation

1. Disassembly rear console

For the rear console, the process is similar and involves accessing the power source from the rear 12V outlet.

The rear panel is very easy to remove—just pull it toward you firmly.

Rear pannel with air outlets removed, view on inside air ducts Rear pannel with air outlets removed, view on inside air ducts

2. Drilling and Rear chargers Installation

The chargers I prepared for installation didn’t quite fit, or rather, the nuts that secure them didn’t fit, so I had to remove some plastic from the inside around the intended installation site—on either side of the standard cigarette lighter socket. The chargers I prepared for installation didn’t quite fit, or rather, the nuts that secure them didn’t fit, so I had to remove some plastic from the inside around the intended installation site—on either side of the standard cigarette lighter socket.

Finally, they got in. Finally, they got in.

Checking how they fit Checking how they fit

3. Wiring and assembling

We do the rear wiring (Y-connector) in the same way as the front wiring.

Then connect it to original socket’s connector wires. Then connect it to original socket’s connector wires.

Solder firmly Solder firmly

And wrap all additional harness in fabric tape And wrap all additional harness in fabric tape

Now, simply reverse the disassembly process. Just carefully snap the console panel back into place.

Final result of rear panel with chargers and cables plugged in. Final result of rear panel with chargers and cables plugged in.

Enjoy your new, modern charging setup!