Honda EV testing program with Kumamoto Prefecture
26 December 2010
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced its plan on the ongoing cooperation with Kumamoto Prefecture on Electric Vehicle Testing Program for next-generation personal mobility products, including electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric scooters and electric carts. Earlier on 15 December, Honda announced its Electric Vehicle Testing Programs in the US, and with Saitama Prefecture in Japan on 20 December. In addition to Japan and the United States, Honda is also considering the possibility of conducting a similar program in China. (Earlier post.)
On 5 August, Honda and Kumamoto Prefecture entered into a comprehensive agreement to perform testing of next-generation mobility within the prefecture through 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.
Kumamoto Prefecture, its cooperating municipalities, the Kumamoto Industrial Federation, Kumamoto University, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. and Honda have formed a Next-Generation Mobility Testing Program Implementation Committee.
Honda could make some quick advances offering more batteries for their Civic and Insight hybrids. You can call them plug hybrids and get better regenerative braking.
Posted by: SJC | 28 December 2010 at 01:22 PM