Honda Cars : Honda Micro Commuter prototype previews future city-sized EV | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The 2013 Honda Micro Commuter prototype has been unveiled in Tokyo, symbolising the beginning of a new phase in the Japanese manufacturer’s electric vehicle development.

The second-generation prototype trades many of the futuristic elements of the original Micro Commuter concept from 2011′s Tokyo motor show, replacing them with a more practical, user-friendly design intended to be suitable for use on public roads.

Honda plans to begin testing the pint-sized Micro Commuter in Japan next year, establishing the potential of the short-range EV in a number of different environments and conditions, with a view to launching a new zero-emission production car suitable for Japan and Europe in the coming years.

At 2500mm long, 1250mm wide and 1445mm tall, the Honda Micro Commuter is 195mm shorter, 309mm narrower and 97mm lower than the Smart Fortwo.

A lithium-ion battery positioned under the floor spins a 15kW electric motor, which propels the sub-400kg Micro Commuter to its 80km/h top speed.

Honda says the prototype has a range of approximately 60km and can be recharged in less than three hours.

The Honda Micro Commuter features a McLaren F1-style central driving position, and can be arranged to accommodate either two children or one adult passenger in the rear.

Connecting an iPad or similar tablet device to the dashboard gives the driver access to all of the vehicle’s internal functions, including instruments and meters, audio, navigation and reversing camera display.

Solar cells on the roof recharge the tablet’s battery, and Honda says it is investigating the potential to harness solar energy to enhance the Micro Commuter’s driving performance.

Honda believes low-range EVs like the Micro Commuter have the potential to revolutionise personal transportation for a number of road users, including families with small children, senior citizens, home delivery services and car-share users.

Source;
http://www.caradvice.com.au/200362/honda-micro-commuter-prototype-previews-future-city-sized-ev/

Honda Cars : Summary of CEO Speech on September 21, 2012 | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

• In 2010, I set Honda’s “Direction for the next 10 years” which is "to provide good products to our customers with speed, affordability and low CO2 emissions." Since then, we have been devoting our full efforts in leveraging Honda’s unique technologies, ideas and ingenuity to create attractive products that please our customers who purchased such products. In addition, as a manufacturer of personal mobility products, we have been proactively executing various initiatives which contribute to a significant reduction of CO2 emissions.
• In 2011, we were forced to deal with the unprecedented appreciation of the yen and the
  temporary suspension of production around the world and the shortage of electricity due to
  the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the flooding in Thailand. However,
  thanks to the cooperation of our suppliers, business partners, and the efforts of Honda
  associates, we achieved a speedy recovery and as of today we are ready to make a
  counterattack.
• Since its foundation, Honda has been delivering various products with a passion to use
  technology to make people’s lives more convenient and enjoyable. Our products have
  been pleasing customers all around the world by making their work easier, increasing their
  mobility and adding more fun and convenience to their lives. In the previous fiscal year
  (ended March 31, 2012), Honda shared the joys with more than 23.9 million customers
  around the world including: 15 million motorcycle customers, 5.8 million power products
  customers and 3.1 million automobile customers.
• In FY2017 (fiscal year ending March 31, 2017) — the last fiscal year of our next 3-year
  mid-term plan – we will strive to further expand the joys by meeting more than 39 million new
  customers around the world combining motorcycle, power products and automobile customers.

[Automobile business]

• In the area of automobile business, in order for Honda to quickly address the needs of
  customers around the world, Honda will implement global operation reform, which will
  enable Honda to realize the best vehicle specifications with competitive costs. Three key
  initiatives which will be taken as a part of this global operation reform are: 1) concurrent
  development by all six regions, 2) adoption of locally optimized design drawings and 3)
  improvement of production efficiency.
• This global operation reform has been implemented for the development of the all-new Fit
  (Jazz) series which will be introduced starting in 2013. Within two years after the initial
  market introduction of the all-new Fit in 2013, Honda will globally roll-out Fit (Jazz), City
  and a new small SUV model, each with different individual characteristics.
• As in the case of advanced nations, Honda will respond quickly to various market needs in
  rapidly-growing emerging markets while adapting each model to the industrial
  infrastructures of each country and region. Toward this end, Honda will pursue
  “concurrent development by all six regions”, where each region participates in product
  development concurrently and at the same level from the early stage of the development.
  Introducing the same model in all regions within a short period of time enables Honda to
  secure a certain level of production volume on a global basis from an early stage of the
  product introduction, and the cost of parts sourcing can be significantly reduced by
  producing a large volume of parts all at once in the most competitive region.
• Meanwhile, in order to create products that directly respond to the voice of local
  customers while utilizing the local sourcing and production infrastructure to the maximum
  extent, Honda will adopt locally optimized design drawings. Honda is fully committed to
  maximize the joy of customers in each region.
• Honda will further improve production efficiency by dedicating new plants to the
  production of small-sized vehicles, such as Yorii Plant （SAITAMA prefecture）, which
  will become operational in July 2013, and a new plant in Mexico, which will become
  operational in spring 2014.
• Honda will fulfill the unique customer needs of each region while expanding economies
  of scale in global sourcing and production.
• In Japan, Honda will strive to sustain its growth through advancement of the production
  system and capability and also through enhancement of the small vehicle lineup including
  mini-vehicles.
• In the area of production, starting in April of this year, development, procurement and
  quality control teams came together at Suzuka Factory to establish a speedy and highly
  efficient development and production system. While producing mostly mini-vehicles,
  Suzuka Factory is making progress in establishing a self-sufficient production system.
• The Yorii and Sayama Plants of Saitama Factory, will each have unique features and
  strengthen their own area of specialty.
• Yorii Plant, which will lead the global production operations of Honda, will be the world’s
  top-class energy-saving factory which employs a number of innovative technologies.
  Through the introduction of new production technologies, Yorii Plant will establish a
  highly-efficient production structure, which will be dedicated to the centralized production
  of small-sized vehicles such as the all-new Fit Series.
• At Sayama Plant, a portion of two existing production lines will be consolidated to further
  advance the plant’s multi-model production capability, so that the plant will establish a
  highly-efficient production system which is capable of producing more than 10 different
  models on the same line.
• In the area of sales, the N BOX, whose overwhelmingly smart packaging has been well
  received by customers, achieved the remarkable accomplishment of being the industry’s
  top-selling car in the mini-vehicle category for five consecutive months in Japan.
• Honda will further strengthen the product lineup through the introduction of six new
  mini-vehicle models in Japan by the end of 2015, starting with the “N-ONE” model in
  Novermber 2012, the third model in the N series. In the small car category, the all-new Fit
  Series, which was mentioned earlier, will be introduced to the market. With overwhelming
  product strength, Honda will dramatically increase its presence in mature markets.
• In North America, in addition to the already popular Civic, CR-V and Odyssey, all-new
  Accord went on sale this month. Honda believes that the all-new Accord with a
  completely new engine and transmission which dramatically improved driving
  performance, occupant comfort and quality feeling will be well accepted by a broad range
  of customers. In addition to strengthening sales of these core models, Honda will begin
  producing an all-new Fit and a derivative model at the new plant in Mexico that will
  become operational in spring 2014. Honda will further solidify its North American
  business through enhancement of the product lineup and competiveness.
• In China, while strengthening local development capability, Honda will introduce products
  that put more focus on Chinese customers. For the Honda brand, the introduction of more
  than 10 new and full-model-change models is scheduled during the 3-year period from
  2013 to 2015. In addition, Honda will continue introducing locally-developed original
  models to strengthen the product lineup in China. Moreover, amid introduction of the
  strictest fuel economy regulations in the world, Honda will further strengthen its
  competitiveness by proactively introducing environmental technologies such as hybrid
  technologies, where Honda has a competitive-edge.
• In Asia, in order to compete in and win in highly-competitive low-price markets and fulfill
  the diverse needs of customers, in addition to the all-new Fit Series, Honda will add
  sedan-type and utility-type models utilizing the platform of the BRIO, Honda’s strategic
  model for Asia. Honda will strive to increase the sales and further growth in Asia by
  strengthening its mutually complementary structure in the region especially among
  Thailand, Indonesia, India and Malaysia.
• In India, an all-new diesel engine will be adopted sequentially to new models starting in
  FY2014 (fiscal year ending March 31, 2014). In addition to the high fuel efficiency, the
  cost competitiveness of the all-new diesel engine will be enhanced through local sourcing
  and local production to make new diesel models more affordable for customers.
• With these initiatives, Honda will increase its automobile sales in mature markets namely
  Japan, the U.S. and Europe from approximately 2.06 million units in FY2012 (fiscal year
  ended March 31, 2012) to more than 3 million units in FY2017 (fiscal year ending March
  31, 2017). With proactive business expansion in emerging markets, in FY2017 (fiscal year
  ending March 31, 2017), Honda will strive to achieve automobile sales of more than 3
  million units in emerging markets, doubling the sales of FY2012 (fiscal year ended March
  31, 2012). By solidifying sales in advanced counties and growing dramatically in
  emerging nations, Honda will strive to achieve worldwide automobile sale of more than 6
  million units in FY2017.
• Honda will further advance its “Earth Dreams Technology,” a next generation series of
  powertrain technologies which greatly enhance both driving performance and fuel
  efficiency at a high level through the improvement of internal combustion components
  including the engine, along with the transmission, and also through advancement of
  electromotive technologies applied to motors and other components.
• For gasoline-powered vehicles, which remain the most widely used in the world, Honda
  will continue developing internal combustion engines which will increase fuel economy to
  the ultimate level. Honda will adopt the newly-developed engine series first to the all-new
  2013 Accord, and will continue to adopt it sequentially to other models.
• As for hybrid vehicles, Honda will adopt three different systems with unique individual
  characteristics depending on the model in order to fulfill the needs of more customers.
• As for the lightweight and compact one-motor hybrid system, EV driving range will be
  expanded through the improvement of motor output and battery performance as well as
  the combination with a newly-developed transmission. Moreover, Honda will strive to
  achieve No. 1 fuel economy among all hybrid vehicles by improving the efficiency of
  regenerative energy recovery.
• In the area of mid-size vehicles, following the market introduction of the all-new
  Accord-based plug-in hybrid model in the U.S. in early 2013, a hybrid model equipped
  with a two-motor hybrid system will be added to the lineup. After the U.S. introduction,
  these models will be introduced in Japan and other regions. The plug-in hybrid model
  which will go on sale in Japan will be equipped with a compact inverter capable of
  external power supply, which was developed by applying Honda’s generator technologies.
• Concerning the pursuit of driving performance, a highly-efficient and high-output
  three-motor hybrid system, the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super Handling All Wheel Drive),
  which realizes both a high level of sporty handling and fuel economy, will be applied to the
  NSX, Acura RLX Sport Hybrid model and the successor model of Legend which will be
  introduced in Japan in 2014. Honda will measure up to the expectations of customers
  eagerly waiting these models by highlighting the presence of these hybrid vehicles with
  unrivaled driving performance and fuel economy.
• As for battery EVs, this summer in Japan and the U.S., Honda began lease sales of Fit EV,
  which realizes the world’s best electric energy consumption performance. In line with
  changes in the energy situation, Honda will continue its efforts to develop EV models with
  which Honda will strive to realize further market penetration of EVs.
• As for micromini-vehicles, which Honda considers to be one of the directions battery EVs
  can take, Honda will further advance the concept of a “micro commuter,” which was
  introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show last year. While incorporating ideas and technologies
  unique to Honda, the only automaker which has both motorcycle and automobile
  technologies, Honda is making progress in the development of new personal mobility
  products. Honda is planning to begin demonstration testing of such products in Japan in
  2013.
• As for fuel cell electric vehicles, which Honda considers to be the ultimate
  environmentally-responsible vehicle, and therefore has been leading the industry in R&D
  and sales, Honda will launch an all-new fuel cell electric model sequentially in Japan, the
  U.S. and Europe starting in 2015. This new fuel cell vehicle will showcase further
  technological advancement and significant cost reduction that Honda has accomplished.
• Honda will proactively introduce dream-inspiring and edgy products as well as exciting
  and fun products.
• In addition to the NSX, the next-generation super sports model, Honda will launch a new
  open-top sports car with strong vehicles dynamics which will go on sale in Japan 2014, as
  one of the six new mini-vehicle models.
• In Europe, in addition to the introduction of the NSX, Honda will develop an all-new
  Civic Type-R to fulfill customer expectations. With the application of technologies which
  will be cultivated through participation in WTCC (FIA World Touring Car Championship)
  starting this year, the all-new Civic Type-R is being developed with the goal of becoming
  the fastest front-wheel-drive vehicle on the Nurburgring race course. Honda aims to
  introduce this model to the market in 2015.
• In addition to a sports hybrid type of Acura’s luxury flagship sedan, the all-new Acura
  RLX lineup will include a model equipped with Precision All Wheel Steer, a world’s first
  technology which realizes excellent handling performance. The world premiere of the
  all-new RLX, which features uniquely Acura exterior and interior designs as well as the
  most advanced safety and environmental technologies, will be exhibited at the Los
  Angeles Auto Show in November of this year. All Acura models are scheduled to be
  renewed within the next three years. Acura will continue to strengthen its brand in North
  America and China, and expand into other areas of the world.

[Closing]

• Honda’s telematics service, HondaLink, is designed to connect vehicles, people and
  society to realize a safe and enjoyable mobility society with low CO2 emissions. Honda
  will evolve HondaLink to more than 60 countries around the world before the end of
  FY2014 (fiscal year ending March 31, 2014). Moreover, Honda will continue its proactive
  commitment in various areas such as the expansion of robotics technologies including
  ASIMO technologies, contributing to child development and promoting traffic safety.
  Honda would like to continue growing while highlighting what makes Honda unique in
  order to further expand the joys for our customers and society.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/-26

Honda Cars : Americans Say EVs Are the Way to Go, According to Honda [Video] | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

If you thought the American public was generally misinformed and ignorant, you’d be wrong, as according to a recent video posted online by Honda, they have strong opinions and are generally informed about ‘green tech’ and the future of motoring.

Honda’s poll was conducted with 1,000 people from the US, and it was discovered that 37% of people think that pure EVs are the way to go into the future, with regular gasoline and biofuel tying for second place with 19%, hydrogen coming 4th with 13%, and natural gas (surprisingly) coming last with 12% of people considering it ‘the fuel of future’.

People were also asked what was the threshold when it came to gas prices which would determine them to ‘go green’ and purchase an alternatively-fueled vehicle. Of the people questioned, 60% said they would opt for a ‘green’ alternative if the price of gas would surpass the the $6 (€4.78) per gallon mark, with 30% saying they would make the swap if prices passed the $5 (€3.98) per gallon mark. Curiously, 15% of people said they would never buy a fuel sipper, no matter how draconic the oil industry would become - a very odd and surprising statistic.

The video also proves that Americans have heard of aerodynamics, though too many of them fail on the question of whether or not to keep the windows up or down on the highway to maximize efficiency.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/americans-say-evs-are-the-way-to-go-according-to-honda-video-45872.html

Honda Cars : 2013 Honda Fit EV Rated by the EPA at 118 MPGe; Receives Best-Ever Consumption Rating of 29 kWh/100mi The 2013 Honda Fit EV tops all other EV offerings in efficiency ratings, providing the most mileage for your electric dollar | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The 2013 Honda Fit EV tops all other EV offerings in efficiency ratings, providing the most mileage for your electric dollar

06/06/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.,

The 2013 Honda Fit EV, has received a combined adjusted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 MPGe, and an unprecedented low consumption rating of just 29 kilowatt hours (kWh) per 100 miles. With an EPA rated annual fuel cost of only $500 , the fun-to-drive 2013 Honda Fit EV can help consumers get more miles for each charging dollar. Full EPA MPGe ratings¹ for the Fit EV are 132/105/118 city/highway/combined.

With such an efficient drivetrain, the Fit EV’s 20-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery provides the capacity to earn an EPA combined city/highway estimated driving range rating of 82-miles, allowing the Fit EV to surpass the EPA efficiency and range ratings of the Ford Focus Electric (105 MPGe, 76-mile range), Nissan Leaf (99 MPGe, 73-mile range), and Mitsubishi i-MiEV (112 MPGe, 62-mile range). The Fit EV’s exceptionally efficient design – encompassing everything from savvy powertrain design, weight-conscious engineering and effective aerodynamics – makes the most of the Fit EV’s smaller battery. Additionally, the Fit EV battery can be recharged in less than 3 hours from a low charge indicator illumination point when connected to a 240-volt circuit.

“Just as important as the industry-leading fuel-efficiency and fast recharging time, as a Honda, the 2013 Fit EV will be an absolute kick to drive,” said Steve Center, vice president of the American Honda Environmental Business Development Office.

The Fit EV’s 92 kilowatt (123 horsepower) coaxial electric motor generates 188 ft-lb of torque, and is teamed to a chassis with a fully-independent suspension and a driver-selectable 3-mode electric drive system adapted from the CR-Z Sport Hybrid.

Honda debuted the 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and announced plans to begin leasing the battery-electric commuter vehicle to customers in select California and Oregon markets during the summer of 2012, followed by an East Coast rollout in 2013. The Fit EV will be offered with three-year $389/month lease².

Honda Environmental Leadership
The Fit EV is a part of Honda’s portfolio approach, which includes the development of battery- electric, fuel cell-electric, natural gas, and gasoline-electric powered vehicles, to improve fuel-efficiency and reduce C02 emissions. Honda has led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles, from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), for eleven consecutive years.

In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, powersports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.

Honda Fit EV Efficiency Comparison
Model	EPA Combined MPGe Rating	EPA Combined kWh/100ml1	Battery Capacity	EPA Label Range
Honda Fit EV	118	29	20 kWh	82 miles
Mitsubishi i-MiEV	112	30	16 kWh	62 miles
Ford Focus Electric	105	32	23 kWh	76 miles
Nissan Leaf	99	34	24 kWh	73 miles

¹ kWh/100mi (kilowatt hours per 100miles): A lower number represents superior efficiency
¹132/105/118 city/highway/combined miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe) rating; 82 mile combined (city/highway) driving range rating (adjusted).  Ratings determined by US EPA.  Your MPGe and range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.  For additional information about EPA ratings, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-electric-label.shtml.

²Subject to limited availability through October 2014 in designated market regions on approved credit through American Honda Finance Corp. Closed end lease for 2013 Honda Fit EV for well-qualified lessees meeting specific use and operation requirements. Not all applicants will qualify. No purchase option at lease end. MSRP $37,415 (includes destination). Excludes tax, title, license, registration, options and insurance. Zero capitalized cost reduction. Total monthly payments $14,004.00. Lessee responsible for non-routine maintenance, excessive wear/tear and up to $0.20/mi. over 12,000 mi./yr. Lease includes collision coverage, routine maintenance, roadside assistance and navigation system updates. Please see your authorized Fit EV dealer for complete details.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/2013-honda-fit-ev-rated-by-the-epa-at-118-mpge-highest-fuel-efficiency-rating-ever-1

Honda Cars : Honda Announces Leviton as Preferred Electric Vehicle Charging Solution | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

04/23/2012 - TORRANCE, Calif.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today announced that Leviton Manufacturing Company, the global leader in connectivity solutions, has been selected as Honda's preferred Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment provider for customer and dealer EV charging.

"As leaders in the fields of advanced technology for mobility and energy solutions, Leviton and Honda both have unique missions to create a more sustainable future," said Steven Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda. "Pairing Leviton's EV charging solutions with Honda's advanced Fit EV and Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan electric vehicles will enable a more convenient and seamless ownership experience for our customers."

Honda will be introducing two battery-electric vehicles beginning with the 2013 Honda Fit EV this summer, and the Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan next winter. The 2013 Honda Fit EV battery-electric commuter car, based on the popular Fit, targets an estimated 123 city-mile range per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)1 and can fully recharge its battery in as little as three hours when connected to a 240-volt circuit. The Honda Plug-In Hybrid Sedan uses an all-new, two-motor hybrid system which continuously moves through three different modes - all-electric, with up to a 15 mile per charge range; gasoline-electric; and direct-drive - to maximize driving and fuel efficiency, especially during city driving.

"Leviton is excited to work with American Honda as they launch their electric vehicle program here in America. At a high level we share a very similar overall mission; to supply products of the highest quality at a reasonable price for complete customer satisfaction," said Michael Mattei, Vice President and General Manager for Leviton's Commercial and Industrial Business Unit. "In addition, we hope to continue to enable the electric and hybrid electric industry through simple, easy to purchase, easy to install and easy to use products, while providing the highest level of consumer safety."

About Honda
Honda offers a diverse range of cars and trucks that include the mid-sized Accord, the compact Civic line-up with seven individual trim-levels, CR-V crossover SUV and Odyssey minivan. Honda also includes a wide range of fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles such as the Insight hybrid, Civic Natural Gas (compressed natural gas-powered vehicle), Civic Hybrid, CR-Z (sport hybrid coupe), FCX Clarity (fuel cell-electric vehicle) and the soon-to-be-released Fit EV (electric vehicle). Honda's 2013 Fit EV battery-electric commuter car, based on the popular Fit, targets an estimated 123 city mile range per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)1 and can fully recharge its battery in as little as three hours when connected to a 240-volt circuit. For more information about the Honda Fit EV battery-electric vehicle and to sign up to become a potential Honda lessee, please visit Honda's Fit EV consumer page at http://automobiles.honda.com/fit-ev/.

About Leviton
Leviton Manufacturing Company is the largest privately held global provider of electrical wiring devices, data center connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems. Founded at the turn of the 20th century in America, Leviton has grown to become one of the preeminent leaders in the electrical industry. Today Leviton's product portfolio consists of more than 25,000 devices and systems used in homes, businesses and industry. Proven to be a smart choice, nine out of 10 homes throughout North America have Leviton products installed in them. Builders, electrical contractors and other industry professionals rank Leviton products No. 1 in brand preference. To request more information about Leviton, please visit http://www.leviton.com/.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/honda-announces-leviton-as-preferred-electric-vehicle-charging-solution

Honda Cars : Honda Introduces Solar Hydrogen Station on Saitama Prefectural Office Grounds | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

FCX Clarity Used in Electric Vehicle Testing Program to Serve as Mobile Electric Generator

TOKYO, Japan, March 27, 2012 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled a Solar Hydrogen Station on the grounds of the Saitama Prefectural Office. The initiative is part of the Electric Vehicle Testing Program for Honda’s next-generation personal mobility products with Saitama Prefecture, in which Honda, Iwatani and Saitama Prefecture collaborate to build. In a further initiative, Honda has equipped the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle with an outlet to function as a 9kW power source. Since the FCX Clarity uses a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to produce power with zero CO2 emissions, with its new outlet, the vehicle will be able to serve as a zero-emission mobile electric generator.

This is the first installation in Japan of a total system to produce, store and dispense hydrogen with ZERO CO2 emissions. A high pressure water electrolysis system, uniquely developed by Honda, produces hydrogen. With no mechanical compressor, the system is nearly silent and highly energy efficient. Using Solar and grid power, the system is capable of producing 1.5kg of hydrogen within 24 hours which enables an FCX Clarity to run approximately 150km or 90 miles. Honda aims to further develop the system to offer clean energy sources for the home in the future.

Source;

http://world.honda.com/news/2012/4120327Solar-Hydrogen-Station/index.html

Honda Cars : Honda designs car without steering wheel | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Alot of people are speculating that this will be the DNA of the next Honda S2000....

By David Millward, Transport Editor, Geneva

Instead of the steering wheel, this car is controlled with the aid of two levers.
The EV-Steer is intended to give the motorist the same experience as somebody riding a motor bike, who uses the handlebars to turn.
Instead of turning the wheel, the driver pulls and pushes the levers according to the direction of travel.

"It's fun, it is very tactile and it is very accurate," a Honda spokesman insisted.
"The car keeps the driver alert, because it is very sensitive to movement. Your whole body is kept moving.
"In fact it is a mini-cross trainer," the spokesman added, without the slightest note of irony.
While the car may lack a steering wheel, it is not short of dashboards. In fact it has three.
The middle one would normally display the routine information such as speed.
Then on either side, just above each of the levers are two more dashboards, which can be configured according to the driverﾒs wishes.
One, for example, can be dedicated for the satellite navigation system, while the other could be used to control the audio system or car temperature.
The car. which has a top speed of just under 100 mph, has already been driven thousands of miles on a Japanese test track.
Fitted with an electric engine, the car can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge. Charging the battery takes around three hours.
A mid-range sports, Honda expects to go into full production of the EV-Steer within the next three years. and will have a price tag between £30,000 and £35,000.

Source;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9126441/Honda-designs-car-without-steering-wheel.html

Honda Cars : Honda's Earth Dreams Tech Making Fuel Efficiency a Reality | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Stephan Edlestein

New technology will give Honda what it needs to compete with its rivals, and will power everything from the Accord sedan to the NSX supercar.

At the Geneva Motor Show, Honda revealed details about its new, more fuel-efficient powertrains. These new engines, collectively known as Earth Dreams, will power most Honda vehicles in the near future, including the next NSX sports car. “We aim to be number one in fuel economy in each sector within three years,” said Honda’s European CEO, Manabu Nishimae. “Through Earth Dreams Technology, Honda will continue to minimize our environmental footprint.”

Like Ford’s EcoBoost and Mazda’s Skyactiv, Earth Dreams is a brand name for engines upgraded with new technology. Honda will add VTC (Variable Timing Control), direct injection, and will build conventional gasoline-powered cars with Atkinson-cycle engines, even though that setup is usually found in hybrids. Adding direct injection, which shoots a precise amount of fuel into the combustion chamber, is an important step if Honda wants to compete with Ford and Mazda, let alone Hyundai and Kia.

Honda will also improve its diesel range under the Earth Dreams banner, reducing its engines’ displacement and weight to cut emissions and improve fuel economy. Honda will also replace its mild-hybrid IMA (Integrated Motor Assist), with a new system that features lithium-ion batteries and plug-in capabilities. Because IMA only allows drivers to use electric power for brief periods, Honda’s hybrids have never been able to compete with the Toyota Prius on fuel economy. The new system should remedy that.

To put its engines’ green power to the road, Honda will rely more on Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT). Enthusiasts may not like the CVT’s eerily linear power delivery, but some kind of transmission upgrade was necessary. Honda offers a five-speed transmissions in the Accord, while most of the competition offers six.

The U.S. Will get its first Earth Dreams engine, a 2.4-liter inline-four, in the 2013 Accord. Europe will get a 1.6-liter diesel in the Civic. Honda says the diesel is the lightest of its kind and produces an extremely low 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Earth Dreams technology will also be incorporated into the new Honda/Acura NSX’s V6. That engine, combined with the NSX’s three electric motors, will provide “supercar acceleration and outstanding efficiency,” Honda says. The NSX will go on sale in Europe by 2015, badged as a Honda. There was no update on the car’s U.S. launch.

“The NSX is the ultimate top-line sports model,” Nishimae said, “could we develop a smaller one?” He noted the EV-STER, an electric roadster concept making its European debut at Geneva, as an example of how green powertrain technology could be applied to a small, fun-to-drive package. Such a car would make a great replacement for the S2000.

With Earth Dreams, Honda is making a concerted effort to upgrade its basic engines and transmissions, something it will need to do to remain competitive. By starting from the bottom, Honda hopes to see improvements across its entire lineup, everything from sedans to sports cars.

Source;
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/will-hondas-earth-dreams-engines-make-fuel-efficiency-more-than-a-dream/

Honda Cars : Honda delivers first electric Fit | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Torrance, California – Honda has delivered a 2013 Fit EV electric vehicle to the city of Torrance. The delivery is one of the first major steps in the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program and a prelude to the retail market launch of the Fit EV to customers in California and Oregon this summer.

The Fit was delivered in a ceremony to Torrance mayor Frank Scotto by Steve Center, vice-president of the environmental business development office at American Honda.

“This is an exciting day as we take another important step toward Honda’s comprehensive vision for reducing CO2 emissions, while at the same time advancing our relationship with the city of Torrance,” Center said. “Honda has a long history with electric vehicles starting with the introduction of our first battery electric car, the EV Plus, nearly 15 years ago.”

Honda and the city have worked together over the past year to gather input from residents about potential recharging station locations and have jointly participated in several public awareness events. The two will continue these initiatives and also study local government fleet usage of an electrified vehicle. The city will also receive a Honda plug-in hybrid for additional testing at a later date.

Honda unveiled the 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and plans to lease vehicles to its U.S. customers in the summer of 2012. Honda will also test the Fit EV with Google Inc. and Stanford University as part of its demonstration program.

Source;
http://www.autos.ca/general-news/honda-delivers-first-electric-fit

Honda Cars : Honda President Sees Limited Role for Electric Cars | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Very interesting read....
By Brad Berman
onda’s display at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show is full of electric car concepts. Earlier this week, international journalists were given the opportunity to drive its impressive Fit EV pure battery electric car. So, when given the opportunity to ask a single question at yesterday’s press conference with Honda President Takanobu Ito at the Tokyo show, I tried to determine if the company’s man at the top has a vision for electric cars.

I’ll let Mr. Ito speak for himself in this unedited transcript of my question and his answer.
In your earlier comments, you identified the need for Honda to be ahead of your competitors on technology, especially hybrid and electric. Nissan is projecting to have 1.5 million cumulative sales of electric cars by 2015. What do you think of this forecast, and Honda’s ability to compete with pure electric vehicles?

First of all, just because Nissan is saying it’s going to sell some 1.5 million pure EVs, Honda is not going to say that [we are] as well. Instead, our way of thinking is, for us to contribute to sustainable society, we have to think about total sales of Honda vehicles, and thereby through our products, contribute to society.

With this in mind, compared to the year 2000, we need to reduce our CO2 emissions by 2020 by 30 percent. Pure battery EVs, of course, would be one means of trying to reduce CO2. I think there is no mistake about that.

I think the way people use cars is not the same across the board in all countries, so I cannot generalize. If you think about the concept EVs introduced by Honda at this Tokyo Motor Show, you see that electric cars are important. I will not deny that. But when you consider the performance of batteries, the charging times, plus the cost of batteries, I think pure EVs would be best for compact, very small cars.

I feel confident in saying that they could be a fit for very small vehicles. That is why last year we launched the motorcycle EV. We think we should expand on this and for mini-vehicles, an even smaller size category—the commuter car we introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show, which would be well suited for a pure EV.

Will this be acceptable in the United States? This is a question. Therefore, we are thinking of the Fit EV for the United States. But for Japan, Europe, and other parts of Asia—especially the urban areas, we think the smaller category would be an option that could be considered, if it could be easily charged and has good maneuverability. In this category, pure EVs would be appropriate.

So, we’ll start with the very small cars for the pure battery EVs. But when you think about other segments—compact cars and large vehicles—in order to contribute to sustainable society, fuel economy and reduction of CO2, I believe hybrids would be the best.

When I say hybrids, there are different types of hybrids. Honda has to think about what would be best for each of the categories. For example, we have strength in the one-motor system—a very simple IMA (Integrated Motor Assist). This is one thing that we feel is fit for this purpose. We think we can increase the number of sales, and we are preparing the next version of the IMA, trying to improve the performance.

For vehicles in the United States, say the Accord class, we have to secure sufficient motor performance. We have to further work on this to generate enough power during the driving. For this, we have to have a separate dedicated system for the Accord class and above.

If you’re talking about high-end expensive vehicles, fuel economy is not enough. It also has to be fun to drive. For that we have the SH-AWD [Honda’s new hybrid system primarily dedicated to enhancing driving dynamics]. For each class of car, there are different types of hybrids. We believe we already have the technology in our hands, and for the next 10 to 20 years, I think in order to reduce CO2, we would have to use these different technologies, of which pure battery cars are one. But proportion-wise, I think hybrids will be the largest.

What Gets His Motor Going
In the final question of the session, an American journalist followed up on the idea of Honda adding “more fun” to its vehicles—a notion that was frequently discussed in presentations to journalists in the past few days in Tokyo. The journalist mentioned Honda’s electric sports car concept on display.

“I would love to have an electric sports car, but I live in an apartment complex, so I’d have to run an extension cord across my parking lot in order to recharge it,” he said. “[Honda] used to have affordable sports coupes that were iconic around the world, the CRX, the Integra, Prelude, those cars that every man could afford that actually ran on gas. Is a car like that on the table, or does every future sports car need to have some sort of advanced powertrain. It seems like a gas powertrain might be more affordable to the masses.”

Mr. Ito broke into a smile and, for the first time in the one-hour conference, delivered his response in English—a single line: “I completely agree with you.”

Source;
http://www.plugincars.com/honda-president-sees-limited-role-electric-cars-110639.html

Honda Cars : Preview: 2013 Honda Fit EV/Plug-In Hybrid | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Graeme Fletcher
Motegi, Japan • Honda is set to introduce a new plug-in hybrid and an all-electric version of the Fit. The two are part of an exercise that falls under the company’s Earth Dreams Technology umbrella. Both will be launched in the United States next year. At this point, Honda Canada is still evaluating the viability of bringing one or both to Canada. Put my vote in the bring box!

The new plug-in hybrid uses an entirely new drivetrain — a gasoline-powered engine that is teamed with not one but two electric motors. This is a significant move that vaults Honda into the full-on hybrid league. As such, the plug-in hybrid can run on electric power, a combination of the gasoline and electric power sources or on the gasoline engine alone.

The new 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle engine uses direct injection along with i-VTEC and variable cam phasing. The combination boosts torque and horsepower considerably while reducing fuel consumption by five per cent compared with the current 1.5L engine used in the Civic Hybrid.

As it stands, the gasoline engine produces 134 horsepower and 111 pound-feet of torque (although one should expect slightly better numbers in the production car). The main electric motor chips in with another 161 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. The second electric motor plays the role of a generator.

Where this system differs from others is that the plug-in hybrid is designed to run on the electricity stored in the six-kilowatt/hour battery — which requires 1.5 hours to recharge using 220 volts — for the first 24 kilometres of the drive. When it’s depleted, the gasoline engine kicks in and drives the generator, which then provides the electricity consumed by the main electric motor.

At highway speeds, the plug-in decouples the electric side and runs on the gasoline engine alone. The interesting part is that, in each case, the motor and engine drive the wheels directly as there is no multi-speed gearbox.

It sounds complicated, but the system is remarkably seamless in the manner in which it operates. Launch is strong thanks to the motor’s low-end torque, and the delivery of power remains linear through the mid-range. Push on a little harder and the gasoline engine fires up and keeps things rolling along nicely.

The test drive of the new hybrid system was conducted in the current Accord sedan — which model will see the production version of the plug-in hybrid system is still up in the air (although my money says Accord).

Outwardly, the Honda Fit EV looks (graphics aside) exactly like its gasoline-powered sibling. In fact, it is only when climbing behind the wheel does one find the first big difference — step-in height is taller because the car has been raised to accommodate the 20-kWh main battery beneath the floor, where it is protected as well as provides a lower centre of gravity. Recharging the battery is done through an onboard charger. The 6.6-kW unit is capable of fully recharging the battery in three hours when using a 220-volt outlet. The downside is the 18 hours it takes to accomplish the same with a regular 110-volt outlet.

In lieu of the 1.5L four-cylinder engine, the EV adopts a derivative of the electric motor that currently sees duty in the fuel cell-powered Clarity. In this instance, it delivers 123 hp and 189 lb-ft of torque. The output is such that the Fit EV enjoys the same sort of acceleration as its regular compactsized counterpart equipped a 2.0L gasoline engine — credit the early arrival of the torque and the fact it stays with the program through the mid-range and on to the top end.

The Fit EV has the potential of delivering a city driving range of 195 km and a highway rating of 150 km. The difference in the distances is due to the lack of regenerative braking when the Fit is driven at a constant speed.

However, Honda is up front and admits that these are ideal distances. As such it takes the ideal and multiplies it by 0.7 to arrive at a real-world number. The multiplier takes into account the power needed to drive the electric air conditioner and power steering, provide heat in winter and supply the power requirements for everything from the radio to the wipers and heated seats. In the end, the Fit EV can provide 125 km of everyday real-world fun.

The EV also features a three-mode drive system similar to the one found in the CR-Z. In economy mode the throttle is much softer (actually too soft for most situations). The caveat to this is that if the distance to empty is getting tight, selecting the eco mode might just be the difference between getting home and not.Selecting the sport mode sharpens things appreciably, but it does so at the expense of driving range (it reduces the driving distance by up to 25% when compared with the economy mode). As such, normal mode is the best, as it balances the desire for performance with the need for a usable driving range.

As for the rest of it, the EV is every bit a Fit. It does not suffer because of the additional mass added by the battery, nor is there any compromise in the utility aspects.

The all-too-brief test drives proved both plug-in hybrid and Fit EV are road ready. Both offer surprising performance and have a ton to offer in terms of reducing the toll the automobile places on the planet.

Source;
http://life.nationalpost.com/2011/11/30/preview-2013-honda-fit-evplug-in-hybrid/

Honda Cars : Honda Reinvents Regenerative Braking for Fit EV | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By Brad Berman
As we discussed in October, the secret sauce of a good electric car is not how it accelerates, but how it brakes. Yesterday, I had two short rides in the Honda Fit EV at the company’s Twin Ring Motegi complex north of Tokyo—prior to my visit to the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show today. My driving impressions from behind the wheel are embargoed until Dec. 5—but I’m free to report on my discussion with Kunimichi Hatano, the engineer who created Honda’s new regenerative braking system.

Honda’s strategy rests somewhere between what Ford will do with the Focus Electric—make it feel like any conventional car without special modes or gears—and BMW’s strategy. Electric Bimmers will brake in an aggressive and distinct way, according to Aaron Singer, BMW product strategy manager. The Fit EV's braking is perhaps most similar to the one found in the Nissan LEAF, with a couple of key exceptions. Honda’s Mr. Hatano explained that the goal is to make the brake feel comfortable and familiar—yet the Fit EV will have a “B” gear, providing the driver the choice to engage an aggressive motor-only regen setting, as well as an “Econ” mode that removes regenerative braking in a coasting-type function. The current LEAF lacks such driver-managed controls.

Again, I can’t speak yet about the relative level of performance achieved when toggling between Normal, Sport and Econ modes. But what’s important here is the role that Honda’s new electro-servo brake system—the first of its kind—in yielding about 75 miles of real-world range, and123 miles of range (in the forgiving LA4 cycle). The Fit combines a 94 kW motor and 20 kWh battery pack. (Honda is not yet sharing details about the weight of the Fit EV, but it's bound to be lighter than the LEAF.)

So far, the Fit EV is the only Honda car that has been (ahem) fitted with the new system, but it is also slated to go into Honda’s upcoming Accord-sized plug-in hybrid—which I also was able to drive yesterday.

Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with Mr. Hatano.

Many EV drivers like very aggressive regenerative braking. Why not give a unique aggressive feel to regen braking in your electric vehicles?
Honda does not intend to reduce the amount of regenerative braking to achieve satisfactory brake feeling. Obviously, we want to recuperate as much energy as possible. But if you try to recuperate too much energy, you might destabilize the vehicle. The question is how much energy can we recuperate without going over the threshold of losing stability. You have to bear in mind that vehicles are driven under bad weather, in snow, and rain, and when the road surface might not be good. You have to make sure the regenerative braking doesn’t go beyond what is reasonable.

But it can feel different and still be safe, right?
Sure, some prefer a different feeling. Whatever kind of brake feel you want—whether it’s like normal gasoline-powered cars or different—that’s one subject. And the limit of regenerative braking is another subject. The limit is more about preserving stability. Because this is an electric braking system, you can fine-tune the taste in many different ways.

How is the electro-servo braking system different than its predecessors?
In our system, you have two different main parts. In the first part, you create the brake feel. This is quite common with other carmakers. The way our brakes feel might be different, but the system is not very different. However, what is different is the part that actuates the brakes. Traditional hydraulic brakes use a vacuum to activate the brake system, and then pump oil to press the pads against the rotor. A hybrid system may use solenoids. Our new system is different because the medium to apply the brakes is using an electric motor to directly drive the pump that serves the brake fluid.

What’s the advantage?
This system has very high accuracy. This means more efficiency. It’s more faithful to the brake input from the driver. [Honda estimates that the servo-based system increasing efficiency by at least 5 percent.]

When you take your foot off the accelerator, you immediately have a little bit of regenerative braking. Then, you put your foot on the brake—and if you look at the curve on the hydraulic system, it goes up very sharply. But if you look at the yellow zone in the graph, [in the old system] the regeneration doesn’t go up as sharply and it’s delayed. The idea of the new system is to bring the regenerative yellow zone closer to the hydraulic response.

The first part of the slope is very similar to the hydraulic. Then, as you start reaching the regeneration limit, the slope gradually slows down a little and reaches the limit after what the hydraulic system can do. After that, you can keep regeneration system at the highest level longer than the current system. And just before you stop, the drop is even sharper than the old regeneration system.

All of this is possible because of the servo system? Could you have done this just with calibration?
No, you need the accuracy to achieve it.

Does the increased regenerative braking mean slowing down faster?
The braking distance itself is not shortened by this alone. The braking distance is determined by the weight of the vehicle, the speed, and the amount of energy you take out either by regenerative braking or traditional braking, and the tire grip. This system doesn’t mean that you’ll shorten the braking distance. That depends on the caliper or other brake operations.
How does the “B” gear mode affect regenerative braking?

B is for higher regeneration only when the throttle is off. If you are in B mode, it's only regenerating energy through negative torque at the motor level. [There’s no use of the brakes.]

And what’s the effect of Econ mode?
In the econ mode, on the contrary, it reduces the engine brake effect so the car can coast. The idea is to reduce the up and down demands on the engine—by having less engine braking, which means you don’t lose as much as speed.

The B mode is made to suit certain driving situations, like when you’re going down a slope and you see a red light at the end. You put it in B to recuperate energy, so you slow down, which is fine. And if you see the light changes to green, you just put it back into D. It’s a question of responding to all possible driving situations.

Postscript
I can guess that many PluginCars.com readers will like the sound of Honda’s approach—but the nagging question remains: Why is the company only producing 1,100 Fit EVs over the next three years, and not allowing customers who might fall in love with the car the ability to keep it beyond the lease period? Company officials here repeated the same “one step at a time” message—that they want to learn as much as possible from the first customers in order to refine the car into the best possible EV.

I spoke with multiple high-ranking executives to encourage them to reconsider—especially if it looks like the Fit EV is a winner. It’s too early to know, but I have a glimmer of hope that Honda could reconsider its lease-only approach and/or increase production. If indeed the Fit EV represents an improvement in electric car braking, along with controls for higher regen and coasting, it will only be a matter of time before competitors offer similar features in their battery-powered cars. Honda's apparent technology and feature advantage could evaporate in three years, just as the company is collecting and processing feedback from the 1,100 Fit EV leaseholders who have the distinction of driving the car. That would be a shame.

Source;
http://www.plugincars.com/honda-reinvents-regenerative-braking-fit-ev-110596.htmlource;
http://www.plugincars.com/honda-reinvents-regenerative-braking-fit-ev-110596.html

Honda Cars : Honda Exhibits World Premiere of EV-STER the next-generation electric small sports concept | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

TOKYO, Japan, November 30, 2011 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will exhibit the world premiere of the EV-STER, the next-generation electric small sports concept model, at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, which will take place at Tokyo Big Sight from Saturday, December 3 through Sunday, December 11, 2011.

Featuring a dynamic and innovative styling design and excellent environmental performance, the EV-STER, an electric rear-wheel-drive two-seater convertible sports car, will propose a new way to enjoy a sports type model which is unique to the electromotive mobility. The adoption of carbon materials made it possible to reduce the vehicle weight contributing to the vehicle's high driving performance and range of approximately 160km. The easy-to-operate twin-lever steering was adopted for the thorough pursuit of the joy of driving. Moreover, the new concept model enables the driver to make his/her own adjustments to some vehicle characteristics such as motor output and suspension settings, to embody the joy of maneuvering to the fullest extent.

Furthermore, the instrument panel features not only meters, but also the vehicle information display which enables the driver to enjoy driving as well as the network display used for the audio and navigation systems and also for the internet access. The well-designed layout of the meters and displays enables the driver to concentrate on driving and enjoy the comfortable space.

Honda remains committed to developing sports models beyond the expectations of its customers and offering exciting and thrilling mobility products.

Key specifications of the EV-STER

Vehicle length 3,570mm

Vehicle width 1,500mm

Vehicle height 1,100mm

Wheelbase 2,325mm

Maximum speed 160km/h

Acceleration (0-60km/h) 5.0 sec

Maximum range Approximately 160km (JC08 mode)

Battery 10kWh lithium-ion battery

Maximum battery output 58kW

Charging time

200V: under 3 hours

100V: under 6 hours

Source;

http://www.hondanews.info/news/en/auto/4111130eng

Honda Cars : Honda Small Sports EV Concept | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Here's another pic of the Honda Sports EV Concept.

Source;
http://visions-autos.sport24.com/668215/Honda-Small-Sports-EV-Concept-2011-et-Coupe-Honda-Design/

Honda Cars : 2011 Honda Micro Commuter Concept Ready for Tokyo | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The formula for the EV market is starting to become clearer by the day. You’ve got the larger sedans and hatchbacks that some manufacturers produces with range extenders, the odd sportscar here and there, some relatively small hatches that are the mainstay of the offering and the really small cars like Audi’s Urban concept and Renault’s Twizy.

Honda has announced it will be bringing three electric vehicles to the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, which will debut November 30th, and the Micro Commuter is obviously their vision of urban travel in the future.

Speaking of the future, the the design has to be one of the most futuristic we’ve seen in a while. There is only one seat that wraps the driver in a world of white and teal tones. Instead of the traditional wheel, you’ve got something that looks like it came out of an airplane.

Looking at the outside, Honda’s designers must have really wanted to design a car that works in sci-fi anime, because it has some very strange fairing for the wheels.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2011-honda-micro-commuter-concept-ready-for-tokyo-40268.html

Honda Cars : Honda Small Sports EV Concept teased ahead of Tokyo debut | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

At the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show this year, Honda’s booth will carry a theme of “What makes people feel good?”

“Honda will propose an exciting and thrilling mobility life of the future that it envisions as a company providing personal mobility to people all around the world,” the company said in a statement. “The display will include a lineup of the next-generation electromotive concept models including two-, three- and four-wheeled commuter vehicles designed for easy and fun mobility in future cities, mid-to-long distance commuters designed to enrich life and enhance the freedom and fun of mobility, and sporty models that pursue the joy of driving/riding.”

One of the most exciting vehicles on display will be the Small Sports EV Concept (tentative name). Honda said the study shows a “next-generation EV sports model which maximizes the fun of driving while achieving excellent environmental performance.”

It seems the Japanese automaker is hinting that the Small Sports EV Concept could be a new take on the Beat, a midengine 660cc sports car that was sold in Japan in the early ’90s.

More details will be announced at the show on Nov. 30.
- By: Omar Rana

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/11/09/honda-small-sports-ev-concept-teased-ahead-of-tokyo-debut/

Honda Cars : Honda Jazz EV Concept electric car debuts | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

There was talk about this vehicle coming to north america instead of getting the Honda FIT hybrid, not sure whether or not that's still the plan....
While most other manufacturers participating in the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show, were busy trying to steal the show with their new models sporting glitzy designs and displaying promising concepts, Japanese auto giant Honda seemed to focus on the greener side of things by exhibiting various plug-in hybrid and electric-vehicle concepts, including the yet-to-be-named Jazz-based Honda EV concept.

The EV Concept will be powered by a lithium-ion battery and a high-density coaxial motor which is claimed to hit a top speed of 145 kph while helping to achieve an estimated driving range of 160 kilometres per charge. Aiding efficiency would be a 3-mode electric drive system lifted straight from the Honda CR-Z hybrid, which allows the driver to select between Econ, Normal and Sport modes thereby optimising the vehicle dynamics for optimal efficiency or best performance.

Another highlight of the EV concept is a connectivity system which allows the driver to monitor the vehicle’s state of charge, initiate charging and even turn on the air conditioning system using a personal computer, mobile phone or an interactive remote from Honda. Recharging the battery takes less than 6 hours when using a 240-volt outlet. Other features include a Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System with capability to locate public charging stations, LED headlamps and tail lamps, aerodynamic bumpers and eco-friendly bio-fabric on-seating surfaces.

In a land where even simple hybrids have turned out to be epic failures, a sophisticated EV stands no chance. But we do know that the EV concept will be a Jazz on batteries when it finally reaches production stage in no more than a year.

Source;
http://www.drivearabia.com/news/2011/09/29/honda-ev-concept-honda-jazz-electric-debuts/

Honda Cars : Honda says it will make electric cars in China | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda plans to build make electric cars in China starting next year 2012 as part of a plan to raise sales there 10% a year.

Honda, a Japanese automaker, isn't stopping at electrics in the drive to pout China on the forefront of the automotive revolution, Bloomberg News reports. It also will make hybrids eventually, Bloomberg quotes CEO Takanobu Ito as saying at the Shanghai auto show today.

It's not like Honda will have to ship in a lot of parts for the project. The batteries, motors and other core parts are already made by Chinese manufacturers to cut procurement costs, he said. It's unclear which car that Honda would use as a base, but it has announced plans to electrify the small Fit. That's an electric fit in the picture, above.

Honda expects to sell 730,000 vehicles in China this year, a growth rate of about 10%, Ito said.

Source;
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/04/honda-says-it-will-make-electric-cars-in-china/1

Honda Cars : Honda EV retro Sedan? | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

You might remember this vehicle shown as a prototype a few years ago in a Coupe style, well, this looks like a nice close to production ready vehicle.... Not sure what, if anything, will come of this....

Great find www.woodyscarsite.com
Source;
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2011/02/retro-ev-honda-is-back-and-4-doors.html

Honda Cars : Honda trials solar-powered EV charging station in Japan | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

One of the main problems that electric vehicles (EVs) face is that lack of support infrastructure. You wouldn’t want to drive interstate only to find that there isn’t a charging station for your EV in the area. Honda’s vision for a solar-powered home-based hydrogen production station is an effort to ease the transition from fossil to alternative fuels. The company has since revealed plans to trial a solar-powered public EV charging station. The program will be tested over in Japan and the ultimate goal of it is to achieve what Honda calls Total Energy Management, which is a system that supplies households and communities with energy for personal use, while supporting a comfortable low-carbon lifestyle.

Source;
http://ubergizmo.com/2010/12/honda-trials-solar-powered-ev-charging-station-in-japan/