Honda far from ending EV program

Advanced Battery Technology, Aug 1999

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Honda Far from Ending EV Program

Robert Bienenfeld, Honda EV Plus program manager, has issued an official statement denying the various news reports that Honda had "pulled the plug" on its EV program. "Nothing could be further from the truth," he stated.

The reality is that Honda committed to build only the number of EV Plus vehicles necessary to meet its commitment under the California Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Further, Honda limited availability of the EV Plus almost exclusively to California and made it clear from the beginning that it intended to limit EV Plus production to only about 300 units. Therefore, rather than "suddenly deciding" to stop building EVs as some media have reported, Honda announced that it had simply reached its target production. They have sold or leased virtually every EV they manufactured, clearly indicating that the EV market is growing at a more rapid rate than Honda could predict at the outset.

"Our initial surveys indicate a high level of satisfaction with the EV Plus," said Bienenfeld. "We will continue to support and monitor every EV Plus customer throughout the life of the program."