Honda has unveiled its plans for its 'Electric Vision' strategy for Europe at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The first step in this plan was the launch of CR-V Hybrid, followed by the unveiling of the Honda e Prototype at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Following a summer of appearances throughout the region, Honda unveiled the final mass production Honda e for the first time at Frankfurt.
While the Honda e made its first public appearance, Tom Gardner, Honda Motor Europe Senior Vice President, took the opportunity to confirm details of the brand's next key launch, "In 2020, Honda will launch the next generation Jazz and today, we can confirm that this model will be introduced into Europe with hybrid technology as the sole powertrain option."
The brand showed how its technology could be used to support vehicle charging not only for users who have off-street parking, but also those who live in built up urban areas who only park on-street.
The system consists of a charging system that can be wall or pedestal mounted, with a maximum output of 7.4kW (single phase power supply) or 22kW (three phase power supply). This output allows Honda e owners to charge to 100% capacity in four hours (assuming a 32A supply), significantly faster than through a standard wall socket.
Honda, in partnership with charging specialists Ubitricity, have also developed a solution that allows users to charge in urban on-street scenarios. The technology allows the installation of charge points within lamp posts, while a unique cable featuring a mobile metering device allowing charging cost to be linked to the customer's tariff to remove the need for subscription to several suppliers.
Honda has also unveiled a Power Manager Prototype, a bi-directional system that connects electric vehicles to a smart power grid, enabling the collection and distribution of electricity between EVs and the grid to intelligently balance demand and supply of energy and make better use of renewable sources.
Honda confirmed at Frankfurt that it will bring to market its first commercial energy services by 2020 to align with the launch of the Honda e. The U.K. and Germany are targeted as the first countries for a commercial launch, with further European markets set to follow.