REPORT: Honda to show EV prototype in Tokyo, production in 2015
Honda has repeatedly told the world that it doesn't see battery electric vehicles as being viable anytime soon. Instead, the company has planned to retain its focus on hydrogen fuel cells. However, the realities of hydrogen distribution (or lack thereof), may be pushing Honda to do something it doesn't necessarily want to.
Honda will reportedly unveil a prototype for a battery powered mini car at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. A production version of that plug-in vehicle is expected to hit the streets by 2015. Despite the company's preference for hydrogen fuel cells, a plug-in may be necessary in order to meet the numbers of zero emission vehicles mandated by new California standards in coming years.
The automaker could certainly leverage the work it has done on the electrically driven FCX Clarity in combination with lithium batteries from its joint venture with GS Yuasa. We'll be on hand in Tokyo this year for the first time, so we'll show you exactly what Honda is planning.
[Source: Green Car Congress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
GregBlencoe 4:18PM (8/22/2009)
Top 25 quotes from Toyota and Honda executives criticizing plug-in battery technology (FYI, this article was published on November 7, 2008, so there have been a lot more good quotes since then.)
http://hydrogendiscoveries.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/top-25-quotes-from-toyota-and-honda-executives-criticizing-plug-in-battery-technology/
In all seriousness, while the technology is not for mainstream consumers, a battery-only car with a limited range and little or no trunk space like the Toyota FT-EV (50 miles) will work just fine for very limited applications as Bill Reinert discussed in the following excerpt:
Energy Tribune interview of Bill Reinert from Toyota, February 2, 2009
"Within Toyota, we’re working on a niche electric vehicle (Toyota FT-EV battery-only vehicle). At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year, we showed a concept of what our current thinking is. A small, city car with relatively limited range, that’s reasonably affordable, targeted at non-traditional markets. But it’s not intended to be a mass-market car. We’re looking at sales volumes of thousands not millions. To produce an electric vehicle that’s truly intended for a mass market, a replacement for your current gasoline car, we’re going to need a battery chemistry that isn’t currently available."
http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=1270
My guess is that Honda will come out with a similar vehicle as the Toyota FT-EV or the Nissan Leaf.
Greg Blencoe
Chief Executive Officer
Hydrogen Discoveries, Inc.
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Chris M 8:05PM (8/22/2009)
Poor Mr. Blencoe, seeing all of his "Hydrogen Stalwarts" going over to the "Battery Dark Side" must be traumatic. LOL !
I must point out that there will be EVs and PHEVs on the market for almost every category, years before 2015, so Honda need not imitate the Toyota FT-EV compact, or the mid-size longer range Nissan Leaf. Instead, Honda might try competing with the Tesla Model S by using the Clarity chassis, replacing the fuel cell and H2 tanks with high energy LiIon batteries, thus getting similar range and better performance than the Clarity, with lower purchase price and lower operating costs.
FCX Clarity vs Clarity EV.
Did I just hear Blencoe screaming?
XYZ 8:38PM (8/22/2009)
Mr Blencoe, you still don't get it: .
It doesn't matter what some people at the helm of the automakers say. It is just what THEY WANT US TO HEAR! You better write it down - so you won't forget next time! Please spare us those comments of whoever says what. Just forget about it and stop spamming this board!
JasonN 9:43PM (8/22/2009)
Yeah, Beat It Blencoe and quit spamming the the boards with your tripe. Nobody wants to hear your failed Hydrogen propaganda and spin!
M-SIL 5:43PM (8/24/2009)
Hey Greg, welcome back. You never answered my question on how would you sale me an hydrogen powered vehicle from 2 months ago. So, here is my question again below and please answer this time:
M-SIL 12:04AM (6/25/2009)
Hello Mr Blencoe, just want to welcome you to ABG. Since you have alot of knowledge about hydrogen powered vehicles, I just like for you to answer this question through this scenario.
Ok, let say I am a customer who is just felt up with high gasoline price and want to drive something other than gasoline or diesel. So lets say I went to a car dealership somewhere in Texas (lets say, Houston, TX) and your are Sale Specialist (AKA Saleperson) that specialize in hydrogen powered vehicles.
So one day I came to your dealership and saw a Honda FCX on the lot for sale. Before I came by, I've done some research on various type of vehicles from BEV to Steam (hey, I am keeping my options open) and know some stuff about fuel cell vehicle. The question, how would you sell me a fuel cell vehicle if it was for sale right now? Other, what would be your sales pitch to getting me to drive away in a fuel vehicle vehicle over other vehicle types.
Tohe 4:44PM (8/22/2009)
Honda wants to party like it is (1997-) 1999!
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locoyocal 4:58PM (8/22/2009)
i'd love to party like its 1999.
Bill 7:26AM (8/23/2009)
Looks more like a late-1980s Civic.
Tohe 2:13PM (8/23/2009)
@Bill
Not according to wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_EV_Plus
Reality Hurts 5:08PM (8/22/2009)
Ok, nice Honda a new EV due in 2015, lets take a look at all the other products that will beat it to market:
- Nissan Leaf EV
- Ford Focus EV
- Tesla Model S
- Chevy Volt
- Aptera
- Coda EV
- Ford Transit Connect EV
- Chrysler EV
- Dodge Circuit
- Miles Highway Sedan
Way to go Honda, nice to know that you will be the last to the market again, what happened to you?
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jake 5:30PM (8/22/2009)
I totally expected this. I always said Honda is working on an EV behind the scenes in case plug-ins pick up.
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Alan 5:39PM (8/22/2009)
Don't forget the Mitsubishu iMiEV.
As for Greg, well now Honda has announced an EV they're not so stupid after all? You mean if the price is right the cost savings will make them attractive for people that don't require a large range? The initial market will mostly to replace ICE cars in two car households. Wow, that has been the point all along in the so called debates, but thanks for your insight!
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Nicholas 6:10PM (8/22/2009)
Mr. Blencoe getting the point? Nah, he was probably just high on his hydrogen pipe when he wrote all of that.
Nick P. 7:40PM (8/22/2009)
Yeah, Blencoe is on the dark side. We all wish he would stop giving in to his hatred of EVs, but alas he probably has money on the table...
If the hydrogen movement was any smart, they would jump on the EV bandwagon and promote hydrogen fuel cells as a "super battery" for EVs -- which it is.
Fuel cell cars *are* EVs.
oollyoumn 7:30PM (8/22/2009)
The looks exactly like the car they had planned to sell in CA back in the 90s.
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Chris M 7:47PM (8/22/2009)
That IS the car that Honda was leasing back in 1999! I believe that their new EV will have a different design.
Curiously enough, Honda used the same EV body and chassis for their first few H2 fuel cell prototypes, before they designed the FCX Clarity. Hmm, maybe Honda will use the FCX Clarity style chassis for their new EV? It would make sense, especially once the Tesla Model S is a hit.
NeilBlanchard 9:34PM (8/22/2009)
Hi,
http://www.pluginamerica.org/plug-in-vehicle-tracker.html
Over at Plug in America, they list 51 -- that's FIFTY ONE electric cars or plug in hybrids, 10 (TEN) 2 and 3 wheeled vehicles, and 13 (THIRTEEN) utilitiy vehicles -- for a total of 74 (SEVENTY FOUR) EV or PHEV vehicles.
How many hydrogen powered vehicles are there? The ones with fuel cells are really just EV's with a hydrogen powered range extender anyway...
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Chris M 2:55AM (8/23/2009)
Well, there are prototype H2FC cars from Honda, Toyota, GM, Daimler, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and VW, and prototype H2 ICE cars from BMW and Mazda. Total number of vehicles from all manufacturers, 318 at last count, none sold, only a few have been leased. (compare that with over 600 Tesla Roadsters already delivered to customers!)
AFAIK, there is only one proposed H2FC motor bike and one proposed H2FC slow speed "Neigborhood Vehicle".
Yep, there are a lot more EVs and PHEVs planned than H2FCVs, all of the major H2FCV companies are also planning one or more EV and/or PHEV model, but there are several EV companies that do not plan any H2FCVs.
Even more striking is the number of EVs and PHEVs that are currently available, right now, for sale - I counted 17 cars, trucks, motorbikes and 3 wheelers! The number of H2FCVs available for sale right now? Zero, zilch, nada, nil, nothing, the big goose egg.
john 12:50AM (8/23/2009)
That photo looks so 1980. I'm guessing this is *not* the car Honda is designing. Anyone know which car it is in the photo?
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john 12:52AM (8/23/2009)
LOL, NVM it's the 1988 Honda EV Plus: http://world.honda.com/history/challenge/1988evplus/