Honda to make insulated toolkit available for EV maintenance

Honda has already announced that it will start lease sales of the EV-neo electric scooter in a few months (earlier post). Therefore, it prepares an insulated maintenance toolkit, which will be distributed to the dealers in order to carry out maintenance tasks on the EV-neo. This will ensure the safety when performing various tasks. Also, special training of the dealers will be done in order stuff to learn the basics of low voltage electric handling.

The insulated toolkit, has the surface of the metal parts covered with a film coating that doesn't allow electric charge to move, thus preventing a potential shock. Of course, the same type of measures will be taken once EV cars come out.

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.

Honda starts lease sales of EV scooter in Japan

Honda announced today that it will start lease sales of the EV-neo electric scooter on December 24. According to Honda's plans, 100 EV-neo scooters will be delivered between December 2010 and March 2011 to cooperating businesses in the monitoring program for collecting riding data and other useful information and to start lease sales of the EV-neo to general businesses and individual business owners in April 2011. The annual target lease sales in Japan is 1,000 units and the base price (with quick charger) is 574,350 ¥.

The EV-neo uses the new SCiB lithium-ion battery from Toshiba and can achieve 34 km vehicle range per charge. An optional audible pedestrian alert system to warn pedestrians of an approaching vehicle when riding at 28 km/h or lower will be available.