Honda Fit EV testing program to hit the roads in 2011

After presenting the Fit EV prototype ate last month’s Los Angeles Auto Show, Honda is already launching an Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program. Marking the debut of the program were Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto and American Honda Motor Co., Inc. President and CEO, Tetsuo Iwamura. They became the first public testers of the Fit EV prototype and an Accord Sedan test vehicle fitted with a new two-motor plug-in hybrid system.

As part of the program, the city of Torrance along with Stanford University and Google Inc., will each receive a Fit EV for testing starting in 2011. The city of Torrance will also have the chance to test a plug-in hybrid as a part of the program in 2012.

"The goal of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program is to more fully understand the challenges and opportunities associated with such a fundamental shift in technology," said Tetsuo Iwamura, American Honda Motor Co, Inc., President and CEO. "The city of Torrance and the other participants will play a key role, by providing real-world feedback on their experience. They will help us tackle the important issues surrounding customer adoption of electric vehicles."

Several Torrance city departments will be using the Fit EV and plug-in hybrid. They include Community Development department and Public Works office, as well as the Economic Development office.

Having made its world debut at the 2010 at the Los Angeles, the FIT EV is expected to arrive to the showrooms in U.S. and Japan in 2012. Based on the 5-passenger Fit, the EV version has been developed to cope with the daily driving needs of the average metropolitan commuter.