Plug-in hybrids will be "at the core of electrification in the future" for Honda, said Chief Executive Takahiro Hachigo.

The advantages of a plug-in hybrid are clear. For short trips, they act like an electric car, running off battery power alone, and not burning a single drop of gasoline.

However, where the all-electric car falls short is during longer trips, where limited infrastructure means drivers often have difficulty finding a charging station. The plug-in hybrid also has a fuel tank, and when the battery doesn't have enough charge to get you to your destination, it can operate just like a traditional hybrid, running with the electric motor and gas engine in conjunction to deliver superior fuel economy.

You get the benefits of an electric car, but you're never limited by the availability of charging stations.

Mr. Hachigo plans for 65 percent of all new vehicles sales to be hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and other green alternatives by the year 2030.

The New York Auto Show reveal of the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell earlier this month is proof that Honda is taking green energy seriously.

Visit Piedmont Honda to test drive a new Honda in Anderson, SC.