Honda electric-car coming to the U.S. in 2015

As far as electric-vehicle news coming out of Japan goes, we’ve already seen Nissan’s LEAF and have heard that Toyota is working on very powerful lithium-ion batteries - but what about Japan’s No.2 automaker Honda Motor Co.?

According to a report by Nikkei business daily, Honda is planning to produce an electric-car to debut in the U.S. market by 2015. Sources told the publication that a prototype of the Honda electric-vehicle will debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show in Octobers.

Nikkei said that the car is expected to be around the size...
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thstone - 8/24/2009 1:03:54 PM

+2 Boost

2015? How can Honda be 5 YEARS behind GM? Next you're gonna tell me that hell has frozen over...

veyron1001 - 8/24/2009 1:08:38 PM

0 Boost

Its called planning and execution something that GM has never had.

dumpsty - 8/24/2009 1:47:41 PM

0 Boost

I don't think Honda is really behind in this technology at all. It seems like they have basically taken a step to the side (to quietly work on their own) to get a full view of what the industry is actually doing. Just because they're not showing us anything, doesn't mean they're not doing anything at all.

I believe that Honda's EV will be in-line with exiting EVs or ahead of them. Either way, I wouldn't under-estimate Honda at all.

AgentOrange - 8/24/2009 1:49:33 PM

+2 Boost

2015? Jeebus!
By then cars will be running on french fries.

ceric - 8/24/2009 2:33:07 PM

+1 Boost

What is the technology behind an EV other than the battery?
Electric motors? Matured technology.
Unless you are talking about range-extension gas engine integration, which is mainly a control software tuning issue (such as what is facing GM-Volt).
Once battery technology is matured, any automaker can produce EVs.
Today, Tesla battery pack costs about $30K due to complex monitoring electronics and cooling system. The one on GM-Volt costs about $16K (some insiders claim $8K but is unfounded).
Honda is not "behind" in any sense since Honda is not a battery maker.
FCX fuel cell vehicle of Honda already has powerful motors on it. The control system is no different than an EV. All it takes is to replace th fuel-cell with a bigger battery (when one that Honda deems reliable and sustainable is available).