“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,” Tetsuo Iwamura, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., said in a statement. “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.”

The other participants include Google and Stanford University, each of which will get one e-Fit to play with. The city of Torrance also will add an Accord plug-in hybrid concept car to its fleet for testing. The city will focus on issues like charging infrastructure and raising public awareness of cars with cords.

Honda unveiled the electric Fit last month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Honda hasn’t provided many specs for the car but says it will “meet the driving needs of the average metropolitan commuter.” The claimed range is 100 miles on the LA4 cycle and a recharge time of less than six hours at 220 volts. We could see the car in showrooms in 2012.

In other Fit news, Honda is recalling more than 1.3 million Fits worldwide to repair a problem with the headlights.

Photos: Honda. Above: Tetsuo Iwamura, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., goes for a spin with Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto. Hizzoner is the guy driving. Below: The Honda Accord plug-in hybrid concept.

See Also:

• Honda Finds EVs a Perfect Fit
• EV Days Are Here Again
• EV Batteries Will Have Lives Beyond the Road
• Road Test: Seeing Green in New Way With Nissan Leaf

Authors: Chuck Squatriglia

to know more click here