Working in partnership with Toshiba, which has developed the photovoltaic charging station, and Miyakojima City, the trial will investigate the environmental and cost benefits of adopting solar-powered chargers to reduce the dependence on oil-based fuels.

Data gathered will be used as a model for other communities, Honda said.

Miyakojima, which is located on a small island south of the Japanese mainland, has to bring fuels for conventionally-powered vehicles across from the mainland by boat. The project will deploy the MC-β micro-sized electric vehicle, which seats two occupants in tandem, for use on the island.

Mr. Takeo Kiuchi, senior researcher of Honda R&D Co., Ltd., said: ‘This experiment that verifies the potential of a CO2-free society represents the very activities Honda is pursuing in the effort to realize ‘the joy and freedom of mobility' and ‘a sustainable society where people can enjoy life.' I expect that this initiative will serve as a trigger for people to reconsider the value of this wonderful natural environment of Miyakojima Island for generation after generation.’