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Honda Remains Unconvinced of EV Future.

 
2,346 views May 18, 2010
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Honda EV-N Concept EV

Honda EV-N Concept EV

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Its official! Honda doesn't trust EVs. A week after Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn reiterated the company's support for electric cars along with plans to bring four EV models to market, Honda remain uncommitted about the future of Honda EVs.

Honda's president of research and development, Tomohiko Kawanabe spoke candidly about his skepticism of electric drivetrain systems. He confirmed that while Honda plan to sell electric cars in California to comply with emissions laws in that state, making EVs is far down the list of Honda's priorities.

Tomohiko Kawanabe's response to questions on the future of Honda and any EV was delivered with an air of a child forced  to play with an annoying younger sibling.


"We are definitely conducting research on electric cars, but I can't say I can wholeheartedly recommend them" explained Kawanabe. "It's questionable whether consumers will accept the annoyances of limited driving range and having to spend time charging them"

A modified Honda EV Plus blazes a trail for EVs at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb.

A modified Honda EV Plus blazes a trail for EVs at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb.

He didn't classify what constituted limited range in this circumstance, but the average commute in the U.S. is well under 30 miles, placing it well within the range of both the 2011 Nissan Leaf and 2012 Mitsubishi i-Miev. Even the 40 mile all-electric range of the 2012 Chevrolet Volt can comfortably handle most commutes.

Under new California Air Resources Board regulations, Honda must sell a combined 60,000 electric and plug in hybrid cars between 2012 through 2014 in order to sell vehicles in the state.

Honda's last EV, the EV Plus, was produced in limited numbers in the late 1990s and had a range of 100 miles. Approximately 340 vehicles were made and leased to customers in California but never sold privately.

Despite positive feedback from customers, all EV Plusses were taken back by Honda at the end of the lease period. Honda destroyed the cars, citing various reasons for doing so.  Some components survived, serving as the basis for Honda's hydrogen research vehicles at the time.

2009 Honda FCX Clarity, being delivered to 19-year-old actress Q’orianka Kilcher

2009 Honda FCX Clarity, being delivered to 19-year-old actress Q’orianka Kilcher

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It is no secret that Honda is investing heavily in hydrogen fuel cell technology, producing and selling limited numbers of the FCX Clarity. With such high investments already in play, Japan's second largest automaker is keen to see the fuel cell vehicle become profitable. However, with federal government holding back on Hydrogen, it's unclear when that will happen.

Honda's latest EV concept, the EV-N, was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show last October. Unless this vehicle or one like it is soon announced as a production model Honda risks loosing out on not only market share of new EV sales, but potentially the ability to sell in California.

[Bloomberg.com]





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Comments (7)

  1. N Riley Posted: 5/18/2010 7:32am PDT

    It is a simple reason why Honda and most other auto companies do not like electric vehicles. The dealer network will not get as much repair work and the auto company will not sell as many parts. It is as simple as that. Honda knows this and their dealers know this. These auto companies pushing Hydrogen as the future fuel source are doing so because it will continue the same dealer repair shops and parts supply network in place today. Hydrogen vehicles will require a lot of maintenance to keep them operating efficiently and that puts money into the pockets of the dealer network, the suppliers and the auto companies. Hydrogen fuel for vehicles is a dead end for the consumer.
     
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  2. Christof Posted: 5/18/2010 8:32am PDT

    Have to agree with N. Riley. But I'll add some additional reasons. An electric car fleet offers consumers the possibility of real fueling independence (via home solar systems, home geothermal, home wind, etc.) and it's potentially a much more democratic fueling model than we have now. A hydrogen infrastructure, like oil, would be top-down, with essentially no room for independent fuel production. In other words, Big Oil becomes Big Hydrogen -- and frankly, that's what it seems Honda wants.
    BTW, I love the 1992 Acura Integra that I bought new and have had for 18 years. I'd buy a Honda EV or PHEV in a heartbeat. But, since Honda isn't bothering with them, I won't be buying another Honda any time soon, and, if they never produce an EV or PHEV, I will never buy another Honda again.
    Honda, what do you think about that!
     
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  3. nikkigordonbloomfield avatar Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield Posted: 5/18/2010 10:19am PDT

    N Riley - Christof - I agree. It's sad though. Honda have the potential to really excell at EVs. But they seem unwilling to do more than what is required of them by CA law. And that's really sad.
    As the former GM chairman has said, H won't be ready for many years to come. And in the meantime Evs are the way forward.
    I'm also curious as to where Honda got their information from. It seems to be at odds with what I've heard about consumers and EVs.
     
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  4. EVO Posted: 5/18/2010 12:15pm PDT

    Here's how same class Honda full gassers stack up against Zero and Quantya electrics in an AMA sanctioned race:

    http://green.autoblog.com/2010/05/13/electric-motorcycles-kick-gas-at-minimoto-sx-energy-crisiscross/
    Ya know, if you keep pushing the same old drivetrain for a century, eventually other things pass it by.
    Still, here's Honda's first toe tip in the pool:
    http://world.honda.com/news/2010/2100413EV-neo/
     
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  5. Noel Park Posted: 5/19/2010 12:49pm PDT

    "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."
     
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  6. B-Man Posted: 5/20/2010 2:26pm PDT

    Hon-duh is just being sheepish about all-electric cars for some reason. Give them some time and some fine wine and they'll be in like flint. Or something to that effect.
     
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  7. Matthew Posted: 5/25/2010 4:09pm PDT

    Didn't Toyota say the same thing not too long ago? They are passing on the technology, so they can focus their sights on perfecting the hybrid system? I don't think people should be surprised that both Honda and Toyota (if this is, indeed, still true) are pushing other modes of propulsion. Someone has to stick it out and a car company is not going to do the same thing as everyone else, especially with all the hype of alternative energy. I don't think it's a great idea, but we'll see who the smart ones are in 10-20 years.
     
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