Honda highlights its EV route 14 | 02 | 2011
HONDA'S MARCH towards introducing a mass-produced electric will take another step forward when it displays its EV Concept electric vehicle and a platform for mid size plug-in hybrid vehicles at next month's Geneva Motor Show.
The concepts form part of Honda’s 'Road to Zero Emissions' programme and illustrate the current technology of hybrids alongside the near-future technology of plug-in vehicles and the ultimate goal of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, like Honda’s FCX Clarity.
The two new cars are integral to the Honda Electric Mobility Network, the company's comprehensive approach to reducing CO2 emissions through innovative products, energy-management and energy-production technologies.
The Honda EV Concept hints strongly at the direction and styling for Honda's upcoming production battery electric vehicle, the Fit (Jazz in the UK) EV, which will be introduced to the US and Japan in 2012. The all-new plug-in hybrid platform showcases Honda's next-generation, two-motor hybrid technology set to debut in 2012.
The EV Concept is designed to meet the daily driving needs of the average commuter and uses the same five-passenger layout found in the Jazz. Honda say the EV concept has a range of 100 miles on a single charge and emphasises the driving range can be maximised by use of an innovative 3-mode electric drive system, adapted from the 2011 Honda CR-Z sporty hybrid.
Honda will also display a prototype EV charging stand, providing a glimpse at the future of an electric-charging infrastructure that is easy to use and intuitive for consumers.
Meanwhile, the Honda plug-in hybrid platform highlight's the manufacturer's next-generation two-motor hybrid system. Integrated into a mid-size saloon platform, the plug-in hybrid is designed to be compatible with daily driving habits, allowing for short, frequent trips in all-electric mode, while providing long-distance driving capability when needed.
The two-motor system continuously moves through three different modes to maximise driving efficiency: all-electric, petrol-electric and an engine direct-drive mode. The plug-in hybrid also uses regenerative braking to charge the battery.
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