July 20, 2010, TORRANCE, Calif. -- Honda announced today that it will introduce new advanced environmental technology vehicles in the U.S. in 2012. The products will include a battery-electric commuter vehicle and a new plug-in hybrid system for mid-size to large vehicles.

The announcement was made during Honda’s the mid-year address by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., President & CEO Takanobu Ito, in Tokyo, Japan. Ito also announced that the next-generation Civic Hybrid will have a lithium-ion battery in 2011. The lithium-ion battery was developed through the Honda and GS Yuasa joint-venture company, Blue Energy Co., Ltd.

Leading up to the sale of the all-electric vehicle, Honda will preview the vehicle’s technologies during demonstrations with Stanford University, Google and the City of Torrance, California. The demonstration is scheduled to begin near the end of 2010 and continue into 2011.

Additionally, the City of Torrance will receive a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for evaluation by the end of 2010.