Honda is to start selling electric cars in the US and Japan in 2012. It will also launch a plug-in hybrid in the same year as it joins the race to manufacture more environmentally-friendly cars. Honda Motor president Takanobu Ito said the firm had no future without making vehicles that emitted less carbon dioxide.It is the first time the firm, which already makes the Insight and CR-Z hybrids, has set a firm date for launching electric cars. Honda's Japanese rival Nissan is already taking orders for its Leaf electric car – due in Japan and the US later this year. Meanwhile, Toyota is planning an electric vehicle model for 2012.