Electric Vehicles
Electric Honda Debuts at Auto Show
The parade of electric cars on display at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show continued with models from Honda and Nissan, as well as a Jeep that left the factory as a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Honda’s concept version of the plug-in hybrid Accord. (Photo By: Honda)
The Accord Coupe Concept is a preview of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that Honda plans to offer in the 2013 model year. It will come equipped with a 6 kilowatt-hour, lithium-ion battery and a 120 kilowatt electric motor.
The automaker said a full charge will take less than four hours at 120 volts, but that can be cut to 90 minutes with a 240 volt charger. Either way, the Accord PHEV is expected to be good for 10-15 miles of city driving at a maximum speed of 62 mph.
Nissan has had the all-electric Leaf in showrooms for some time already. Now the automaker is preparing another electric model for customers in the market for something bigger.
The e-NV200 is an electric version of the NV200 small passenger van that Nissan already sells in 40 countries.
While not offering specifics, Nissan said the battery would be capable of a driving range similar to that of the Leaf, which is about 100 miles on a full charge.
Nissan said the e-NV200 electric van will have a driving range similar to the Nissan Leaf. (Photo By: NAIAS)
The e-NV200 is already being tested by the Japanese postal service and FedEx in the United Kingdom. Hideto Murakami, corporate vice president, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., called the vehicle “a potential game changing vehicle in its segment.”
Also at the auto show is an electric Jeep Grand Cherokee, though you won’t find it at the Jeep display. That’s because the SUV was converted from a traditional Jeep to an electric one by a separate company.
Amp Electric Vehicles is a Cincinnati-based firm which, in the past, electrified a regular Chevrolet Equinox. After a lukewarm reception from General Motors, Amp switched to Jeep, which is made by Chrysler.
Amp said the Jeep is good for 80-100 miles when the 37.6 kwh battery is fully charged. It plans to charge $57,400 for the electrified Grand Cherokee when it is available later this year.
To sign up for the latest Emerging Technology news alerts, click here.
Tags: Electric Vehicles