Honda start to think electric

Honda's less than convincing Insight Hybrid

Honda are starting to reconsider their strategy of focusing on Hybrid and Hydrogen Fuel Cell cars and are looking at electric cars seriously.

I suppose we shouldn’t blame Honda for moving with the crowd. They have stated on more than one occassion that they see the short to medium term solution for economical cars is in Hybrid technology, but that the real future for Honda lies with Hydrogen cars. We concur. Absolutely.

But much like a modern politician who is seemingly incapable of clear policy thought without reference to the voting public, Honda are taking on board the sea change in attitudes to electric cars from governments and car buyers around the world, and are now looking at producing plug-in EVs.

But a lot of the increased interest in EVs stems from the fantasy claims of what lies in the near future. Car buyers are being lead to believe that battery technology will save the day and it will be possible to have an electric ar that will have a range comparable to that of a modern diesel (700-800 miles), and that they’ll soon be able to recharge it in less than five minutes from a recharging station at their local garage, as well as at home.

They also seem to be buying in to the ‘Zero Emissions’ nonsense spouted about electric cars. True enough, they are zero emission if you’re a NIMBY (not in my back yard) but most electricity produced in Europe renders electric cars more polluting – at least in CO2 terms – than a modern efficient diesel.

Then there’s the price issue. Electricity is much cheaper than petrol or diesel. Ofcourse it is. It’s not taxed to the hilt by Governments. But does anyone seriously suppose that Governments won’t start to inflict huge taxes on electricity for cars as soon as the electric car becomes anything more than a curiosity?

So it looks to us as if Honda are being pragmatic. Produce a few EVs to look like they’re keeping up with the game. Concentrate on Range Extender Hybrids in the medium term and look to take over the world with Hydrogen fuel cell cars as soon as the technology and infrastructure allows.

A sensible corporate move.