What is it?
It's called the Fit EV in the US, but this is the electric Honda Jazz that should be on sale in the UK by 2013 - America gets it in 2012. It has a 100-mile electric range per charge and a top speed of 90mph.
Why's it here?
The Jazz EV is miles behind the
Nissan LEAF in terms of release date, but when it eventually arrives it will be one of the few cars that will compete with it for range, performance and practicality.
It has three driving modes - Econ, Normal and Sport - with the first of those improving economy by 25 percent compared to the last. In Sport mode, Honda says the car's performance equates to that from a 2.0-litre petrol engine. It charges fully in six hours.
Show stopper or floor filler?
A supermini-based EV car isn't going to electrify anybody (unless there's an unfortunate accident), but this car could prove popular in 2013. If the LEAF happens to salve general electric car anxiety between now and then, the Honda Jazz EV's popularity is even more likely.
Click here to view the 2010 LA Auto Show page.
Mark Nichol - 18 Nov 2010
