Honda's electric vehicle lineup is getting ready to welcome a new member. At the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, the Japanese automaker has confirmed it will launch an all-new dedicated hybrid model in 2018 as part of the Honda Electrification Initiative, a wider push towards electric power.
Honda plans to use a combustion engine set-up on its dedicated hybrid and will expand the use of its innovative two-motor hybrid powertrain from passenger cars to its light truck lineup in the future. The hybrid will be produced at an existing plant in the United States.
The car's powertrain is a two-motor system that is currently equipped in the 49mpg Accord Hybrid, which is sold in the United States. It features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with electronic assistance that produces 209bhp while giving 56.5mpg combined.
In addition to the automaker's hybrid lineup, Honda announced that more than 50 percent of their new models in the next two years will be electrified at some point. Honda plans to add the all-electric and plug-in hybrid versions of the Honda Clarity, which will arrive at the end of this year.
Honda is yet to confirm whether the model would make it to Europe, but rest assured the cars will feature some sort of electrification in their powertrains. Honda's ultimate goal is to have two-thirds of its car sales with electrified vehicles, including hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Honda also plans to build hybrid variants of its light-truck line but didn't confirm which of its light trucks would be hybridized. The CR-V would be a strong candidate, being a small crossover which could post solid fuel economy numbers, and big enough to suit owner's needs.
Honda's push towards electrification is a result of its ambitions to reduce its total carbon dioxide emissions. The company believes that electrified vehicles are key to the future of carbon-free mobility.
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