Honda is ready to launch its first electric car in 2012 in China. A study is being made to find the possibility of marketing the pure electric-energy vehicles. It is in hopes to boost the sales in the country with the largest automotive market in the world. The testing program is now conducted in several countries that include China, Japan, and the United States.
Honda Jazz
The hatchback Jazz (Fit) and medium sedan Accord hybrid plug-in are the two more models that are developed by the company. The launch of the electric cars is based on the government policy that encourages the use of energy friendly vehicles.
The large market potential in China and the support incentives hindered by China’s policy had forced all the foreign makers for transferring the technology of electric cars to local partners. The China’s auto industry can be considered to become independent in applying this technology in the next 10 years. However, this policy is considered as contrary and detrimental to some foreign principles.
Toshiba Corporation is one of the Japan’s largest electronics manufacturer. Honda Motor Company has taken the cooperation of the Toshiba Corporation for supplying lithium-ion batteries in electric cars. After Toshiba became a sole-supplier of lithium-ion batteries to the electric scooter Honda, the partnership continued. Honda announced that the electric cars are prepared only if they provide the ability to roam up to 160km per hour every time the power battery is charged fully.