Ever wondered what our future society would look like? Based on collective efforts in managing greenhouse gas emissions globally, the speed and intensity of which new technologies are implemented could very well accelerate our dream of achieving a clean, healthy society with zero emissions.
The effectiveness of the solar-powered charging station and Honda ’s electric vehicles are being tested at the prefectural facilities in Japan to help realise a low-carbon mobility society.
For Honda, this is not a mere castle in the air. In fact, the dream of realising a low-carbon society is gaining traction and may soon be within reach for some communities. In a race to achieve clean energy for everyone, Honda has started testing programmes for its range of next-generation personal mobility products in Japan (Saitama and Kumamoto prefectures) and the US (Torrance, California), and plans to launch a similar programme in China.
Quick chargers are available around the prefectures and as an added convenience, drivers can search for charging station locations via their smartphones that are connected to the InterNavi system.
The programme is aimed at designing greener solutions and enhancing the quality of life of local communities by testing Honda’s electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric scooters and power products based on electromotive technologies in real-world urban transportation environments. Honda’s devoted vision of achieving a low-carbon mobility society means that the residents of these selected cities are getting a fresh taste of the future.
In the on-going trial with the respective cities, residents are encouraged to share the EV facilities in their area while Honda evaluates the convenience of its use and benefits. This real-world study is certainly notable, as it helps determine optimal locations of EV charging stations based on the travelling routes used by the local citizens – this includes senior citizens who get to experience the convenience of using the Monpal ML200 electric carts while students and local business operators are encouraged to test the EV-neo electric scooters on short journeys to school or during business deliveries. Even the electric vehicle and plugin hybrid vehicle is available for residents and tourists to expand its usage.
Always placing the customers at the heart of their initiatives, Honda is also testing a support tool using the InterNavi Premium Club services to improve customer convenience and safety. Honda developed this unique interactive information network service to deliver real-time information to the driver from the InterNavi Information Centre, such as Honda’s solar-powered charging stations. Using either a smartphone or a car navigation screen, customers can search for charging stations, set destinations, confirm vehicle conditions as well as access ecodriving information – all of which ultimately works to make navigation on a Honda EV or plug-in hybrid vehicle more enjoyable.
While the Electric Vehicle Testing Program has been running for a year now, it may still be too early to pioneer a shift in society’s adoption in electric vehicles. It surely is not time yet to say goodbye to petrol stations but we are certain that Honda will continue exploring the potential of greener mobility for a cleaner tomorrow.
