Honda to Introduce Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle by 2012

[jpak]

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/100721-Honda-to-Introduce-Plug-in-Hybrid-and-Electric-Vehicle-by-2012/

Honda has announced that it plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) to the U.S. market by 2012.

“Japan’s No.2 automaker was one of the world's only car makers to offer gasoline-electric cars during the past decade but has begun looking like a laggard without a ‘strong’ hybrid or concrete plans to mass-produce pure electric cars,” writes Reuters. The introduction of two new fuel-efficient models will allow Honda to keep pace with the Earth-friendly innovations of competing automakers.

According to Cars.com, “There are no specifications on the Honda EV, but it will likely compete with the upcoming Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i MiEV.” Meanwhile, a plug-in hybrid system is being developed for midsize and large vehicles.

Honda also announced that the next-generation Honda Civic Hybrid will feature a lithium-ion battery. “Civic's new lithium-ion battery will likely be smaller, lighter and far more powerful than today's nickel-metal hydrides, which power most hybrids,” writes USA Today. “It should give the Civic far better range, and possibly the ability to run for miles on electric-only power, a capability it lacks now.”

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[ejpoeta]

1. so glad to see the number of electric vehicles being considered

and introduced. i hope they do well enough to show there is a market for them. i am positive that there should be a decent market for them, even while they are new and hopefully growing as people see they are good choices. i believe we saw that with the hybrids. and if the price of gas spikes again, you can bet they'll be like the prius was the last time that happened

[dmallind]

2. Leafs and Volts already sold out for months if not year+ so good start. NT