The Honda CR-Z hybrid
About a decade ago, when both Toyota and Honda were producing their first hybrid cars, each had very different visions for the future of hybrids.
For Honda, hybrids like the original Insight were simply an interim technology until fuel cell vehicles could replace them. Thus, until recently, Honda had no serious hybrid production plans.
For Toyota, on the other hand, hybrids were intricately linked to advanced technologies and to Toyota's future. Much of the Toyota Prius powertrain, engineers planned, would also find its way into Toyota's fuel cell hybrid vehicles. In fact hybrids like the Prius were significantly designed to help pave the patent foundation to fuel cell hybrids, in addition to next generation batteries needed for conventional hybrids, fuel cell hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles.
In recent years, however, Honda has changed its hybrid tune, embracing hybrids as a significant core requirement for any future automaker, and production plans have been significantly increased. Recently Honda hoped to sell at least 100,000 Insight hybrids per year - a yearly hybrid production number that no automaker outside of Toyota has even come close to achieving.
Unfortunately, the Insight hybrid fell short - for many reasons - however, one of the main reasons boils down to fuel economy. Compared to the Prius - the king of hybrids - the Insight simply falls shorts.
Consequently, it seems time to ask, can Honda's 'mild' hybrid powertrain power Honda's new hybrid future?
Certainly, Honda's current hybrid powertrain can play an important role in developing more fuel efficient vehicles for many commuters, especially as battery costs decline. Still, isn't it time that Honda also embrace full hybrid technology?
Again, with battery cost reductions all Honda hybrids, even the mild ones, will offer more compelling buying cases compared to conventional comparisons; but to sell millions of hybrids, isn't a full hybrid powertrain required?
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