Honda plans to launch an all-electric vehicle in the United States by 2015, a new report finds. Honda has long been known for producing fuel-efficient vehicles, but the Japanese automaker will move to battery power in order to meet upcoming zero-emission regulations.
According to Japan’s Nikkei business daily, Honda has begun development of an all-electric vehicle that will hit the U.S. market by 2015. Honda failed to confirm that launch date, but did reveal it is working on a battery-powered vehicle for the U.S. market.
Little else is known about the project, but Honda’s EV is expected to be around the size of a minicar, with a range of at least 100 miles.
However, Honda is planning a hybrid version of its Fit small car for launch in late 2010, so it remains possible that the two programs will be related. An electrified version of the Fit would make a natural competitor to Nissan’s upcoming Versa hatchback-based Leaf EV.
08/24, 12:50 PM
posted by:
Borat
That thingy looks cute, but sad
08/24, 12:58 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
That’s the CR-Z hybrid being launched next year. Needs to lose the effeminate Mazda front end and then it will look really good
I wonder if Honda/Acura may finally be getting the message that looks sell. Saw in this picture that they have cleaned up the CR-V face for ‘10
http://www.icars.sg/2009/7613/first-official-image-of-the-2010-honda-cr-v-facelift/
and yesterday we drove through an Acura dealership and there was a new TL with the chrome overbite grille replaced by a much simpler design. Made a huge difference. Perhaps it was an aftermarket one the dealer is using to try to sell these cars, but maybe it will register back to Japan
08/24, 1:03 PM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
Finally Honda designs something thats easy to look at and inoffensive to drive. I wonder if this is their way of replacing the perfect S2000… We shall know by 2015 i guess…
08/24, 1:50 PM
posted by:
Samintosh
Way too late!!!
08/24, 1:51 PM
posted by:
elviososa
whao……so late…..the fish is death!
08/24, 2:20 PM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
Yeah that should be about right first Generation Electric cars I think will be about 125 to 225 mile range. and then from there they will probably either double or quadruple battery/Super Capacitor ability to take the car to above 1000 on a charge!
08/24, 3:29 PM
posted by:
Borat
DenverGuy, thanks for the link. The front looks much better. My beef with CR-V wasn’t the front, but extra effeminate butt (wait it sounds gay) rear 3/4 view and rear window are fugly. I could live with the front as it was, but this one is much more appealing.
08/24, 4:16 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I am perfectly OK with this if that is what it will look like!
08/24, 4:54 PM
posted by:
LamboLink
the grill position reminds me of the face of a proboscis monkey..and yet I still like the car as a whole
08/24, 5:16 PM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
Lambo I don’t think the Shnout is that Pronounced or Fugly. I like the way this looks. Honda makes asethically pleasing products that are always easy on the easy.
08/24, 5:41 PM
posted by:
F50
wtf, It takes Lotus/Chrysler 2-3 years to make a Mid Engined EV and takes Honda 6 years. This is a nice idea. but the time is ridiculous.
08/25, 12:36 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I parked next to an Insight the other day. I said to myself “what’s wrong with this Prius?”. Then I saw the logo on the wheels. As Borat has often pointed out Honda is an engineering company first and a design house second. If they figure it’s going to be 5 or 6 years before they have an EV on the market then quite frankly they need to find something else to fill that number one spot.
08/25, 1:23 AM
posted by:
psiclone
Wow. Only six years, huh? Are they serious? Did this idea just occur to them last week? Even then, six years seems rather excessive. Yeah Honda, this electric car thing might actually catch on. Weitd, I think Hyundai is quicker to react in the market place than old bloated Honda is now.
08/25, 12:14 PM
posted by:
GMasaurus
Aaaah, Honda’s finally made it to the party. Shoot, Tesla’s probably going to beat them to the punch. 6 years? Crazy.