Honda has just introduced a production version of the Micro Commuter concept, which has been unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
Described as a "micro size, short distance, EV commuter", the car was developed to be eligible for new micro vehicle categories which are under consideration for licensing by the Japanese government. It is indeed a micro car since it is just 2,500 mm long, 1,250 mm wide and 1,450 mm high.
The Japanese carmaker says that the Micro Commuter is designed to accommodate a driver and two small children in the rear, while other body styles are expected to be developed. In particular, the car uses a clip-in tablet computer to provide conventional instrumentation and controls.
Power comes from a rear-mounted electric motor matched to a 15 kW lithium-ion battery which allows the model to hit a top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and travel up to 59 km (37 miles). Full charging would take about 3 hours.
