Next-gen Honda Accord/Inspire to get PHV version

According to Honda's president, Takanobu Ito, a PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle) system for medium sized vehicles has been developed and it will be sold in the States in 2012.

The next-gen Accord (Inspire in Japan) will be the first model to get a PHV version, which will use the engine in order to power the batteries. The system will be similar to the one of the Toyota Prius PHV and GM's Volt. It is likely that a 1.5L petrol engine will be used.

The next-gen Accord will also be available with a number of petrol engines (e.g. 2.4L R4 and 3.5L V6) and a "normal" hybrid version will also be introduced.

Honda announces new plug-in vehicle testing program

Honda has already announced a testing program in the US and now, it's time for Japan with Saitama Prefecture. Honda will test its next-generation personal mobility products, including EVs, PHVs (next-gen Accord, aka Inspire, will be the first model to get a PHV version - earlier post), electric scooters and electric carts. Solar-powered charging stations will also be tested.

In March 2009, Honda and Saitama Prefecture concluded an agreement to collaborate on environmental issues. Based on this agreement, Honda will start an Electric Vehicle Testing Program in the cities of Saitama, Kumagaya and Chichibu. Honda is also considering the possibility of conducting a similar program in China.

Plug-in tech: Honda vs Toyota

Following the announcement of the second testing program in Japan (earlier post), Honda has disclosed details of the EV and PHV that will be tested.

The PHV is based on the JDM Inspire and it is equipped with a 2.0 L engine using the Atkinson cycle. The powertrain consists also of two motors and a Li-Ion battery. One of the motors has a maximum output of 120 kW and is used to drive the vehicle and regenerate energy. The other is used as a generator that can generate about 100 kW of electricity.

This system is different from Toyota PHV due to the use of two motors, and it can independently operate the engine and the motors. As a result, it becomes possible to drive the vehicle (1) as an EV only by electricity, (2) as a hybrid vehicle by using the engine and the motors and (3) as a gasoline vehicle by using only the engine.

Also, it is possible to drive the vehicle as an EV while using the engine and the generator to generate electricity and storing it in the Li-ion rechargeable battery, Honda said.

Though the company did not disclose the details, it placed the driving motor and the generator next to the engine so that the engine and the motor can be disconnected by using a clutch. In the case of Toyota's hybrid system, its engine, motor and generator are connected by planetary gears and cannot be disconnected, making it impossible to drive only the engine.

As for the Li-ion rechargeable battery, a battery pack with a capacity of 6kWh is mounted in the trunk. And the PHV can drive about 25 km only by electricity. The charging time is less than four hours when charged at a voltage of 100 V and less than 1.5 hours when charged at a voltage of 200 V.

The cell of the battery is manufactured by Blue Energy Co Ltd, a joint venture of Honda and GS Yuasa Corp. The cell is made by using different materials from those used for the battery of the Civic Hybrid, which will be released in 2011.

[Source: Tech-On!]