Honda begins testing the lonely guy Micro Commuter EV

By Nick Jaynes November 12, 2012

Honda Micro Commuter — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Honda isn’t quite convinced that electric vehicles (EVs) are the alternative energy driving future. That’s why its Fit EV will only be available for lease in the US. Back in Japan, however, Honda is at work testing a new EV prototype: the Micro Commuter.

Autoblog Green reports that the testing of the Micro Commuter for 2013 has been spearheaded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. In its current form, the Micro Commuter is one-seater but can be converted for inline seating for two, which proves the eco-driving future might be a lonely one.

At 8’4” long and 4’1” wide, it’s smaller than the Smart ForTwo. Not only is it short in stature, it’s also short on range. The Micro Commuter will only be able to travel 60 miles per charge and only reach a top speed of 50. The benefit to this short, short-range EV is that it can re-charge in an estimated three hours.

The Micro Commuter is based upon Honda’s Variable Design Platform, which is similar to the skateboard-style concept platform we’ve seen from other automakers in the past. Encapsulating the battery pack, control unit, and 15-kW electric motor into one unit allows for the installation of another body on top, potentially increasing versatility.

With Honda’s resistance to EVs, especially stateside, it’s doubtful the US will see anything like the Micro Commuter anytime soon. It’s neat to learn about, however, what eco-friendly bachelors of the future might commute in.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

Cars

Tesla’s fix for faulty Cybertruck pedal is simpler than you might think

Tesla Cybertruck

Less than five months after handing over the first Cybertrucks to customers, Tesla has had to recall the electric pickup to fix an issue with the accelerator.

In a notice issued on Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the recall impacts Cybertruck vehicles manufactured from November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024. This suggests that all -- or almost all -- of the 3,878 Cybertrucks being recalled are those that have been manufactured to date.

Cars

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2024 vs. Mach-E 2023: What’s new in Ford’s electric Mustang?

Blue Ford Mustang Mach-E on a rooftop

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is easily one of the best EVs for the price, offering a solid range, sleek design, and pretty good tech on the inside. In recent years, it has gotten even cheaper -- thanks in large part to a price war between it and the Tesla Model 3. And, the company just took the wraps off of the latest and greatest version of the Mach-E, labeled as the 2024 model.

The 2024 Mustang Mach-E is notably different from the 2023 iteration in some meaningful ways. So much so that we decided to take a look at the two head-to-head -- to see if it was better to pay for the 2024 model or save some cash on any remaining 2023 stock.
Design
The Mustang Mach-E looks relatively unique -- in a good way. And thankfully, Ford has largely kept the overall design the same for the 2024 model, at least when it comes to the more consumer-focused models. The car retains the slatted taillights and crossover size. It also offers a large selection of colors, including the very blue Grabber Blue Metallic, as well as Rapid Red Metallic. It's a good selection of colors, and there should be an option for most buyers.

Cars

Tesla to begin production on new, more affordable models

Tesla Model 3

With competition increasing from Chinese and other automakers, Tesla boss Elon Musk revealed on Tuesday that his company is planning to begin production of new, more affordable models in “early 2025, if not late this year.” Notably, that's earlier than the previously stated date of late 2025, though whether Musk actually succeeds in meeting the earlier production time frame is another question entirely.

The news came as Tesla released its latest quarterly figures. Revenue for the electric vehicle maker came in at $21.3 billion, down from the $23.3 billion it reported for the same three-month period a year earlier and also down from the $25.2 billion reported in the previous quarter. Profit reached $1.1 billion, marking a 55% fall compared to the same period a year ago.