Honda to Begin Demonstration Testing of its EV Charging Technologies in the Republic of the Marshall Islands

-- Striving to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions with Fit EV and solar power-ready charging device --

October 19, 2015, Japan

Corporate

TOKYO, Japan, October 19, 2015 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced plans to begin real-world demonstration testing of EV charging technologies in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The testing will be conducted jointly with the government of the Marshall Islands using Honda's electric vehicle Fit EV, and the solar power-ready AC normal charger, Honda Power Charger.

Starting at 11:00am local time today in Marshall Islands, a ceremony to commemorate the start of demonstration testing was held in front of the Marshall Islands government building. The ceremony included Christopher Loeak, the President of the Marshall Islands; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan from the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Hideyuki Mitsuoka, and Fumihiko Ike, Chairman and Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

As with many other island countries in the Pacific Ocean, the Republic of the Marshall Islands is almost totally dependent on imports for its energy supply, and the effort to increase energy self-sufficiency and reduce energy costs including transportation costs have been challenges facing the country. Moreover, the Marshall Islands is susceptible to the effect of rising sea levels, therefore it is critical to address the issue of global warming through the reduction of the amount of CO2 emissions.

With a support from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry* Honda and Marshall Islands government will use Fit EV and Honda Power Charger and verify the possibility of widespread use of electric mobility products and installing of infrastructure for EV charging in Marshall Islands. Verification results are expected to lead to solving the issues facing the country such as energy independence.

Comment of Fumihko Ike/Chairman, Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.:

“We are very honored that the Government of the Marshall Islands has chosen our EV and the battery charging system. We are also thankful to the Japanese government for the financial support in the implementation of this project. It is our earnest wish that this project becomes a huge success, and Honda is fully committed to cooperate and work together with the Government of the Marshall Islands towards attaining that goal and to make this project a global showcase.”

Going beyond creating mobility products, Honda has been proactive in making progress in developing technologies for the generation and effective utilization of energy used by mobility products. With this approach, Honda will continue its challenges toward the realization of the joy and freedom of mobility and a sustainable society where people can enjoy life.

  • *As a part of 2015 Fiscal Year Energy Supply and Demand Relaxation Type Infrastructure System Dissemination Promotion Business
	Ceremony to commemorate the start of demonstration testing

Ceremony to commemorate the start of demonstration testing

Fit EV and Honda Power Charger

Fit EV and Honda Power Charger