Honda announces plug-in hybrid & electric car plans for the 2012 model year

Honda isn’t exactly the first Japanese car company that comes to mind when desirous about hybrids. Toyota, attributable to its Prius and hybrid Lexus line-up, won the final populus a number of years back, but Honda is set to make another run with the third generation of Honda Civic Hybrids along side a new line of electric vehicles.

These new lines should start hitting streets in both Japan and the united states sometime next year for the 2012 model year. This comes on top of the current plans to introduce a hybrid version of the B-segment Honda Fit later this year. Details in regards to the up-coming electric car wasn’t announced, but a couple of tantalizing specs in regards to the next-gen Honda Civic Hybrid leaked several weeks back and seem to ensure today’s report. Do we say Prius-killer? Yup.

The biggest advantage the impending Civic may have over the Prius is lithium-ion batteries, which have a dramatically better power-to-weight ratio than the Nickel-metal hydride packs currently used in all of Honda’s and Toyota’s hybrids. It is a similar style of battery technology used inside the Tesla Roadster and Chevy Volt. Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system would then assist a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired to CVT transmission or six-speed gearbox.

The same lithium-ion-powered IMA platform will eventually work its way into Acura vehicles in addition, that allows you to likely go face to face against the already-popular Lexus hybrids.

Honda doubtless wants to be called a prime player within the alternative energy car market and are going at it a touch different way than other car companies. While Toyota is aiming at the head with the up-scale Prius and Lexus line, Honda is starting downmarket with the low-cost Fit, Insight, and the Civic. In fact, inexpensive cars is where Honda started so it’s rather fitting that a better chapter in its history begins a similar way.