Honda R&D President says automaker "lacks confidence" in viability of EVs

Zach Bowman — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Technology, Honda, Electric

Honda EV-N Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Carlos Ghosn and Nissan may be plowing head first into the EV world, but Honda isn't so certain buyers are going to be willing to accept the range and charging woes that go along with driving an all-electric car. Tomohiko Kawanabe, president of research and development for Honda, has been quoted as saying that while his company is currently researching the possibility of an EV, he isn't going so far as to recommend them. We're not sure whether that means he won't recommend his company produce an electric car of its own, or if he just wouldn't tell his mother to cruise on over to the Nissan dealer to pick up a Leaf.

Either way, we'll probably see some form of plug-in hybrid or EV from Honda within a few short years. California has mandated that a certain percentage of vehicle sales must be either plug-in hybrid or EV starting in 2012. Given Kawanabe's chilly assessment of the EV game, though, odds are we won't be seeing anything like the adorable all-electric EV-N Concept on our streets. Chances are cars like the CR-Z, Civic Hybrid and Insight will come with a plug-in option and larger batteries instead.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-N concept

Gallery: 2009 Honda EV-N Concept

[Source: Bloomberg]

Honda R&D President says automaker "lacks confidence" in viability of EVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-N concept combines future drive with retro style

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Tokyo Motor Show, Honda, Electric

Honda EV-N concept - click above for high-res image gallery

Honda's new CEO Takanobu Ito started off his tenure at the head of the company today by unveiling a new plug-in battery electric concept. The EV-N showcar hides its futuristic electron pumping powertrain in a decidedly retro bodystyle thanks to a design reminiscent of the subcompact 600N of the Sixties.

Honda has yet to reveal much in the way of technical details about the diminutive hatch, but we do know it uses lithium-ion batteries and the electric motor drives the front wheels. The car can be started with a fob called the Loop that incorporates a display showing the driver know the battery pack's state of charge.

Not enough pint-size fun for you? Each of the EV-N's doors features a pocket that holds one of Honda's gyro controlled, omnidirectional U3-X unicycles.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-N concept

Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-N concept combines future drive with retro style originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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