tokyo motor show honda micro commuter city car

‘micro commuter’ concept by honda

honda‘s ‘micro commuter’ concept car, on exhibition at the tokyo motor show 2011, is a three-seater urban electric vehicle designed technologically to satisfy the needs of city drivers and aesthetically to offer increased customizability.

the vehicle measures 8 feet long by 4.1 feet wide and 4.6 feet tall (2.5 x 1.25 x 1.4 meters LWH), slightly shorter than a smart fortwo. it is powered by a 16.7 kW electric motor with 3.3 kWh lithium-ion battery, offering a maximum speed of about 37mph (60km/h) and a range of approximately 37 miles (60km). a full battery charge is attained in under an hour with a standard 200-volt electrical outlet.

inside, the driver is centered in front of the dashboard console, where a steering wheel has been replaced by twin joystick-like levers. additionally, various car functions can be accessed and monitored remotely via smartphone application.

a loop battery mounted in the car’s rear is charged via regenerative breaking, powering the vehicle’s onboard systems. the device can also be removed and used separately to power personal electronics. the ‘micro commuter’ is also designed to integrate seamlessly with honda’s ‘motor compo’ concept: keep posted to designboom where tomorrow you can learn more about this electric bike!

3/4 rear view

front view, with display panel activated

interior view of front cabin

view of dashboard

interchangeable panels offer users the option to customize their vehicles at will

the ‘micro commuter’ also features interchangeable panels that insert into its front and sides that offer users the capability to customize their car’s detailing to any 2D graphic pattern.

‘loop battery’ with charging ports

detail of lights

smartphone integration