Honda starts testing electric vehicles

Japan's Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled its plans for its 'electric vehicle testing programme' for the next-generation personal mobility products, including electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric scooters and electric carts.

Honda said it is undertaking the testing programme as part of its ongoing cooperation with Kumamoto Prefecture. The specifics of the testing programme, testing vehicles and solar-powered charging stations have also been revealed at Honda's Kumamoto Factory.

Conducted in real-world urban transportation environments, the programme will focus on motorcycles, automobiles and power products based on electromotive technologies.

The comprehensive programme will also use advanced communications & telematics and solar-powered charging technologies to explore future forms of personal mobility and their potential of CO2 emissions reduction.

On 5 August 2010, Honda and Kumamoto Prefecture entered into a comprehensive agreement to undertake testing of next-generation mobility vehicles within the prefecture till March 2013. Based on this agreement, Honda has already begun testing the Monpal ML200 electric cart with the cooperation of Kumamoto City starting in October 2010. Additional testing programs will take place in Kumamoto City, Minamata City, Aso and Amakusa areas to further help realize a low-carbon mobility society in the future.

The program will study the following:

• The practicality and convenience of electromotive technology featured on next-generation personal mobility products, including Honda's EV and plug-in  hybrid vehicles, the EV-neo electric scooter and the Monpal ML200 electric cart
• The effectiveness of solar power generation and other renewable energy sources in helping to realize a low-carbon mobility society
• The potential of next-generation personal mobility to enhance the QOL (quality of life) of residents in local communities

Earlier on 15 December 2010 Honda announced its EV testing programmes in the United States (Torrance, California) and with Saitama Prefecture on 20 December. Honda is also considering the possibility of conducting a similar program in China.

In addition to zero-emission electric vehicles, scooters and carts, the testing program will also include Honda's plug-in hybrid vehicles, which combine a gasoline engine with two high-output electric motors.

Solar-powered charging station
Located inside Honda's Kumamoto Factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, this charging station features a solar-powered generating system manufactured by Honda Soltec. Honda will use the station in combination with advanced communications & telematics to test a wide variety of program objectives.

(See: Honda starts electric vehicle testing program with Kumamoto prefecture)