Geneva motor show 2011 - Honda plug-in hybrid

The Honda stand is all about electricity at this year’s Geneva show, and the company is showing off the latest developments in its hybrid and electric vehicle programmes.

Appearing for the first time in Europe are Honda’s plug-in hybrid and its EV Concept car.

Speaking at the show, the executive vice president of Honda Motor Europe, Ken Keir, said: ‘Electric drive technology is key to the reduction of CO2, and at Honda we believe that hybrid is the best technology for today.’

In keeping with that, Honda is showing the platform of a plug-in hybrid car that will go on sale in America and Japan next year, and which demonstrates Honda’s next-generation hybrid system. With a larger battery than Honda’s previous hybrids, it’s designed to cope with regular motoring, able to manage frequent short trips in all-electric mode, as well as longer journeys when necessary.

Also going on sale in America and Japan next year will be an all-electric vehicle previewed by the EV Concept, which is also appearing on the stand.

Outwardly similar to the existing five-seat Jazz supermini, the car is designed for an urban commuter and is said to have a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge.