Remember Honda had a good experience with their EV Pluses (1997-2000) though I'll grant that was only a 3-yr. trial...
Sent from my iPod- so it's probably a short msg. - Bob On May 13, 2013, at 8:17 AM, Sean Korb <[email protected]> wrote: > I'm wondering if Honda is tepid on releasing EVs to the public because of > their experience with the Insight. If a large number of electric vehicles > need their batteries refurbished after 8 or 9 years that could lead to some > unprepared/unhappy customers. Not everyone knows to take care of their > batteries (don't run them all the way down) and fewer know to save up for > your next battery pack. > > I really hope Honda can move forward with their program but I'd like to see > them be more aggressive and try to beat the competition instead of just > getting their feet wet and keeping the option to withdraw on the table. > sean > On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 8:48 AM, brucedp5 <[email protected]> wrote: > >> >> http://www.edmunds.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/ >> [image] 2013 Honda Fit EV Review >> May 12 2013 >> >> [image >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_fq_oem_3_500.jpg >> 2013 Honda Fit EV 4dr Hatchback Exterior - MSRP from $36,625 >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_rq_oem_4_500.jpg >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_s_oem_2_500.jpg >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_i_oem_2_500.jpg >> 2013 Honda Fit EV 4dr Hatchback Interior >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_ri_oem_1_500.jpg >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_d_oem_1_500.jpg >> 2013 Honda Fit EV 4dr Hatchback Dashboard >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_r_oem_1_500.jpg >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_e_oem_1_500.jpg >> 2013 Honda Fit EV 4dr Hatchback Electric Motor >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_g_oem_2_500.jpg >> 2013 Honda Fit EV 4dr Hatchback Gauge Cluster >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_navsys_oem_1_500.jpg >> 2013 Honda Fit EV 4dr Hatchback Navigation System >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_detail_oem_2_500.jpg >> 2013 Honda Fit EV 4dr Hatchback Interior Detail >> >> >> http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/oem/2013_honda_fit-ev_4dr-hatchback_base_cargo_oem_4_500.jpg >> 2013 Honda Fit EV 4dr Hatchback Cargo Area >> ] >> >> What Edmunds Says >> Change Vehicle >> >> The competent 2013 Honda Fit EV has a lot of things going for it. >> Unfortunately, widespread availability to the public is not one of them, as >> Honda offers the all-electric version of its useful hatchback in only a few >> states and only as a three-year lease. >> >> Pros >> >> Excellent range for an EV; spacious backseat; plenty of cargo capacity with >> the rear seats folded; excellent visibility. >> Cons >> >> Reduced luggage space behind the backseat; subpar braking performance; >> lease-only agreement; limited availability. >> >> Available Fit EV Hatchback Models >> >> View photos [90 images] >> >> Base >> Electric engine >> Direct drive transmission >> Up to 132 cty/105 hwy mpg >> Navigation System >> Bluetooth >> MP3 Player >> Side/Curtain Airbags >> Stability Control >> Traction Control >> >> View All Features & Specs >> >> MSRP from $36,625 >> PRICE WITH OPTIONS >> 2013 Honda Fit EV >> >> What's New for 2013 >> >> The 2013 Honda Fit EV is an all-new model. >> Introduction >> >> The Honda Fit hatchback is already a great small car thanks to its >> space-efficient design and flexible interior configurations. The 2013 Honda >> Fit EV goes one better from a green standpoint, as this all-electric >> version >> allows you to whiz around town on electrons alone. >> >> Honda's new Fit EV doesn't look much different from its gas-powered >> counterpart, but it's a different story under the hood. An electric motor >> rated at 123 horsepower provides the Fit EV with quick acceleration >> (quicker >> than the regular Fit, in fact). For power, the electric motor draws on a >> cargo-area-mounted lithium-ion battery pack. >> >> The intrusion of the battery pack takes away some of the little car's >> utility: The rear seats still fold, but they no longer fold flat, much less >> fully upright (as in the regular Honda Fit), and you lose the flat load >> floor. But since it's a hatchback, the Fit EV is still pretty versatile. >> >> Overall efficiency is also quite good, as the Fit EV has an MPGe combined >> fuel economy equivalency estimate from the EPA of 118 mpg, plus an >> estimated >> range of 82 miles on a full charge. Both are better than Ford's new Focus >> Electric. The Fit EV also boasts a quick recharge time; about three hours >> are required to recharge a depleted Fit EV using a 240-volt-compatible >> charger included with the vehicle. For comparison, the 2013 Nissan Leaf >> takes about four hours, even with its newly available high-capacity >> charger. >> >> With the introduction of the 2013 Fit EV, Honda joins a small rank of >> manufacturers with a dedicated electric vehicle. The Fit's obvious >> competitors are the aforementioned 2013 Ford Focus Electric, 2013 Nissan >> Leaf and Fiat 500e. The Fit compares very well here, offering excellent >> range and power, two key aspects for an electric vehicle. >> >> The only catch? You can only lease the Honda Fit EV, for $389 per month for >> 36 months, and only in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, >> New >> Jersey and New York. This definitely limits the car's appeal. But if you >> live in one of these states and don't mind leasing, the 2013 Honda Fit EV >> is >> a solid choice for an electric vehicle. >> >> Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options >> >> The 2013 Honda Fit EV is offered in only one loaded trim level. Standard >> features include a rear spoiler, LED taillights, 15-inch alloy wheels, a >> three-mode (Sport, Normal, Econ) drive system, a leather-wrapped steering >> wheel, automatic climate control, heated front seats, full power >> accessories, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a >> 60/40-split backseat. Electronic features include Bluetooth phone >> connectivity, voice controls, a navigation system, a rearview camera and a >> six-speaker sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and an >> iPod/USB audio interface. >> >> Powertrains and Performance >> >> A 92-kW electric motor (123 hp and 189 pound-feet of torque) along with a >> 20-kWh lithium-ion battery pack power the Fit EV. The EPA estimates the Fit >> EV can drive about 82 miles on a full charge. The EPA also gives the Fit EV >> an energy consumption estimate of 29 kWh used per 100 miles (the lower the >> kWh number here, the better). That translates into MPGe figures of 132 mpg >> city/105 mpg highway and 118 mpg combined, which is a bit better than the >> Ford Focus Electric (105 MPGe combined) and Leaf (115 MPGe). >> >> It takes just three hours to recharge a depleted Fit EV using the standard >> 240-volt charger. But if you only have access to a 120-volt circuit, >> recharging can take as long as 15 hours. >> >> Able to sprint to 60 mph in less than 9 seconds in Sport mode, the Fit EV >> ranks as one of the quicker electric subcompacts Edmunds has tested. To put >> it into perspective, that's slightly quicker than a turbocharged, >> gasoline-powered Chevrolet Sonic, about a half-second quicker than the >> electric Focus and more than a full second quicker than the Nissan Leaf. >> >> Safety >> >> The 2013 Honda Fit EV comes standard with antilock brakes (front disc, rear >> drum), stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain >> airbags and active head restraints. A rearview camera is also standard on >> the EV. >> >> In normal driving, the Fit EV's brakes feel fine. But in Edmunds panic-stop >> brake testing, this Honda took 140 feet to come to a stop from 60 mph. >> That's a poor showing, as it's 14 feet longer than the Leaf's best braking >> distance and more than 15 feet longer than the average subcompact's >> performance. >> >> Interior Design and Special Features >> >> The Fit EV features an enhanced key fob with more functionality than the >> regular Fit's. With it one can initiate charging, monitor progress and even >> turn on the air-conditioning from 100 feet away. The available Honda Link >> EV >> smartphone app can do all that, plus help you locate charging stations and >> set charging times that optimize utility rates. >> >> The EV's cabin's design is similar to the standard Fit's, with large, clear >> gauges and simple, intuitive controls. The gauge cluster features >> EV-specific instruments that show information such as the battery pack's >> state of charge and remaining range. In keeping with the vehicle's green >> philosophy, the upholstery material is derived from sugar cane. >> >> Honda had to reconfigure the interior a bit to accommodate the EV model's >> battery pack. Rear passengers sit slightly higher and 3.3 inches farther >> back, which actually improves rear legroom. Cargo space suffers, though, as >> you get just 12.0 cubic feet behind the backseat versus the standard Fit's >> 20.6 cubic feet. In addition, the regular Honda Fit's "Magic Seat" (which >> can fold flat or upright) didn't survive the transition. The 60/40-split >> rear seat still folds, opening up nearly 50 cubic feet (versus 57.3 in the >> standard hatch), but the load floor is no longer flat. >> >> Driving Impressions >> >> The 2013 Honda Fit EV is perfectly capable of merging and keeping up with >> typical highway traffic in its default Normal driving mode. Of course, the >> Sport mode provides the strongest performance, while the Econ mode can >> boost >> efficiency by a claimed 17 percent provided you're willing to sacrifice >> that >> snappy pickup and endure limited air-conditioning performance. >> >> With all the instant torque an electric motor provides, the Fit EV proves >> adept at zipping through city traffic. It weighs 700 pounds more than the >> standard Fit, though, so it doesn't feel as light on its feet when driving >> around turns. However, it can still be fun during a daily commute thanks to >> its quick steering and planted demeanor. Push harder and you'll quickly be >> greeted by tire squeal, a side effect of the EV's small, >> fuel-economy-focused tires. >> >> A positive effect of the 2013 Honda Fit EV's extra mass is its more >> substantial feel behind the wheel. Compared to a gasoline-powered Honda >> Fit, >> the ride is noticeably smoother over pockmarked city streets and highway >> expansion joints. >> [© Edmunds.com ] >> ... >> http://automobiles.honda.com/fit-ev/ >> >> >> >> >> For all EVLN posts use: >> >> http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=search_page&node=413529&query=evln&sort=date >> >> Here are today's archive-only EV posts: >> >> EVLN: Microbatteries combine li-ion & supercapacitor advantages >> EVLN: Mission-Motors' Tesla-Roadster of Electric-motorcycles coming >> 6/3/2013 >> EVLN: £1.75 cost per 80 mile Leaf EV journey >> EVLN: Plugins strengthen and boost Washington-State's tourism (video) >> + >> EVLN: NC Automobile Dealers Association Bill would bar Tesla sales >> >> {brucedp.150m.com} >> >> >> >> -- >> View this message in context: >> http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-2013-Honda-Fit-EV-Review-tp4662988.html >> Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at >> Nabble.com. >> _______________________________________________ >> UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub >> http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org >> For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA ( >> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA) > > > -- > Sean Korb [email protected] http://www.spkorb.org > '65,'68 Mustangs,'68 Cougar,'78 R100/7,'60 Metro,'59 A35,'71 Pantera #1382 > "The more you drive, the less intelligent you get" --Miller > "Computers are useless. They can only give you answers." -P. Picasso > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > <http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20130513/e3a39293/attachment.htm> > _______________________________________________ > UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub > http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org > For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA > (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA) > _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
