The Japanese automaker, Honda, presented at Los Angeles Auto Show 2010, the electric version of their little Fit (known by the Europeans as Jazz) and a new plug-in hybrid propulsion platform designed for the medium and large vehicles. As you probably expected, the small electric city concept is called Honda Fit EV.

Honda Fit EV is scheduled to be launched in US and Japan for 2012, is said in a Honda press release. The date when this electric vehicle will hit the European market was not unveiled.

Fit EV Concept model is designed to satisfy the day-by-day needs of the people living in the big cities of the world and uses the same five-seats configuration of the Fit hatchback with petrol engine, a model known in Europe as Jazz. When will enter production, Honda Fit EV will be powered by a coaxial electric motor using lithium-ion battery. The electric city car will have an autonomy of around 100 miles and a top speed of 90 mph. The battery recharge can be made in 6 hours from a 230 – 240 V outlet.

The plug-in hybrid platform anticipates the next step Honda is set to make in the field, with two electric motors and a petrol engine, ready for launch in 2012.

The technology looks very much alike the one Toyota uses on their hybrid vehicles line-up, Prius and Auris HSD, because that the car’s propulsion system will work in three modes: electric, electric+gas and just gas.

Still, the difference between the Honda’s new hybrid drive train is that batteries can be recharged from an outlet, and Toyota’s technology not allowing this for the moment. Starting 2012 Toyota will also be able to sell plug-in cars, making the two hybrid drive trains equal in the eyes of the customers.

A technical difference is that Honda will use two electric motors, while Toyota uses only one.

No related posts.