Honda has announced the development of what it calls e:Technology for Europe. The idea will encompass both cars (such as the Honda e electric car and the new hybrid Jazz), connectivity systems for in-car information and entertainment, and the addition of a new e:Progress set-up whereby Honda owners will be able to sign up to energy supply tariffs for both home and car from Honda itself. According to Honda: "e:Progress will offer a smart charger, smart tariff, and a smart charge control system to deliver optimal charging for users. The smart tariff will be the first flexible energy contract specifically tailored to electric vehicle (EV) owners available in Europe, optimising the use of electricity from renewable sources including solar power, wind farms and hydropower. The service also allows charging at the most cost-effective time, relative to grid demand." Honda will partner with smart-charging specialist Moixa and Swedish power company Vattenfall to roll out the new service across Europe. Part of the set-up will include the new Honda Power Charger, a domestic unit that will charge a Honda e from zero to 100 per cent capacity from a 32-amp power supply in just over four hours, significantly faster than a standard domestic wall socket. Anyway, as part of Honda's move towards electrification, the Honda e will be joined this year by the new Jazz, which will only be sold as a hybrid model (the Jazz Crosstar quasi-SUV will also be hybrid powered). The new e:HEV powertrain has been developed specially for the Jazz, and features two compact, powerful electric motors connected to a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, a lithium-ion battery and a fixed-gear transmission via an 'intelligent power control unit'. Total system output is 109hp, and the Jazz hybrid will hit 62mph from rest in a reasonable 9.4 seconds. On the WLTP test, it emits CO₂ emissions of 102g/km and fuel consumption of 62.8mpg is quoted.

Neil Briscoe - 4 Mar 2020