Honda will start selling electric and plug-in hybrid cars in the US and Japan from 2012. Plug-in hybrid vehicles work like traditional hybrid vehicles, with batteries partly or completely powering the wheels in low-power situations. The gasoline engine shuts down whenever it’s not needed.

The automaker will begin selling a small plug-in electric “commuter car” and a mid-sized or larger plug-in hybrid vehicle, Honda Motor America said.

Honda will also introduce a more fuel efficient version of the Honda Civic Hybrid next year. The new Civic Hybrid will include Honda’s first use of lithium-ion batteries in a hybrid vehicle.

While other major automakers, including General Motors, Ford (F, Fortune 500), Toyota (TM), Fiat and Nissan have all previously announced plans to begin selling plug-in vehicles in this country by 2012, this is the first such announcement from Honda.