Honda President Takanobu Ito gave an address last week that announced the automaker’s green vehicle plans for the next decade. Ito spent considerable time highlighting the company’s focus on getting as close to zero emissions as possible with the next generation of vehicles. In the short term, Honda is committed to public testing of battery and plug-in hybrids in the United States. The automaker is also looking to sell plug-in and battery electric vehicles within the next two years. Ito’s speech also highlighted innovative projects like the Honda Electric Mobility Synergy initiative.
Ito discussed battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle demonstrations in the United States to take place in the next two years. The company is working with Google, Stanford University and other fleet customers in California to test prototypes at the end of this year. The city of Torrance, California is expected to receive a Honda plug-in hybrid by January 2011. Honda is hoping that these demo projects go smoothly to facilitate the 2012 release of plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles in Japan and the United States.
The Honda Electric Mobility Synergy program was cited by Ito as a major effort to meet the needs of eco-conscious consumers. This initiative will start in December 2010 with prototypes operating in the Kumamoto and Saitama Prefectures in Japan. Honda has coordinated with officials and test drivers in these prefectures to test out personal mobility devices. The Electric Mobility Synergy program will feature the EV-neo scooter, the Monpal electric cart and a handful of EV prototypes by Honda. The results of this program could lead to a quick rollout of niche mobility devices currently in development.
Honda is also planning several smaller initiatives that will improve the company’s green vehicle reputation. The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) Hybrid System already used in the Insight will be introduced in the Fit Hybrid in Japan this fall. This expanded use of a proven hybrid system should prove to be a short-term success for Honda. Ito also stated that the company will release an electric bicycle to Chinese consumers by 2011. The comprehensive approach by Honda to cleaner transportation and mobility shows that it is at the vanguard of a green vehicle revolution. The main variable in whether Honda stays in the lead is if turns these demonstrations and pilot programs into reliable products available worldwide.
