Arriving in Honda’s lineup for 2013 is the Accord Plug-In Hybrid, which joins the CR-Z, Insight and Civic as part of Honda’s commitment to the environment, demonstrated by its development of hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles. The plug-in version is available in New York and California only for this year, but should be available nationwide in 2014. This marks the return of a hybrid to Honda's Accord lineup after a 6-year absence.

The 2013 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid will be available in a single base trim initially. The front-wheel-drive Accord Hybrid will have a 2-motor system including a 161-horsepower, direct-injected 2.0-liter, Atkinson-cycle, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine paired with a 120-kilowatt electric motor powered by a 6-kilowatt lithium-ion battery. The powertrain will be mated to an electric continuously variable transmission (CVT).

To increase fuel efficiency, the 2013 Honda Accord Hybrid will allow drivers to switch to a direct-drive mode, where the engine creates more efficient cruising at high speeds. In addition to the direct-drive mode, drivers will also be able to choose to operate the Accord Plug-In Hybrid in all-electric or gasoline-electric modes. The Accord’s battery can be recharged in less than 4 hours using a 120-volt electric outlet and in less than 1 hour using a 240-volt charger. The Accord Hybrid will have an estimated all-electric range of up to 15 miles with a top speed of slightly more than 60 miles per hour.

Some of the safety features that will be found in the 2013 Honda Accord Hybrid include a lane-departure warning system, blind-spot monitoring system and forward-crash warning system. Additional safety features will include 6 airbags—dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; dual-chamber front-side airbags; and side curtain airbags—as well as 4-wheel disc antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist.

The 2013 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid will be packed with numerous standard features found on other Accord trims and is expected to debut on Honda showroom floors during winter 2012-13.