Ready to do battle with the Leaf EV
http://www.autogo.ca/en/reviews/test-drive/2013-honda-fit-ev-electric-leaf-blower 2013 Honda Fit EV: electric LEAF blower by Michel Deslauriers 2013/12/03 [images http://www.autogo.ca/assets/image/2013-honda-fit-ev-660 http://www.autogo.ca/share/assets/image/2013-honda-fit-ev-7 http://www.autogo.ca/share/assets/image/2013-honda-fit-ev-3 http://www.autogo.ca/share/assets/image/2013-honda-fit-ev-1 http://www.autogo.ca/share/assets/image/2013-honda-fit-ev-6 http://www.autogo.ca/share/assets/image/2013-honda-fit-ev-5 http://www.autogo.ca/share/assets/image/2013-honda-fit-ev-4 http://www.autogo.ca/share/assets/image/2013-honda-fit-ev-2 ] Talking about another electric car, especially one that's not sold in Canada, is like announcing a new brand of unflavoured rice cakes. MONTICELLO (New York) – Everyone seems to think that an EV isn't right for them, or boring to drive, which is a completely normal reaction. After all, the automobile and big powerful engines have been a symbol of freedom for ages; you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, by simply filling up with gasoline. You can't do that with an electric vehicle. You must plan your itinerary ahead, you must avoid high-speed travelling as much as possible, and if you're lucky to find a 240-volt charger along the way, you'll have to sit around and wait a few hours to recharge. This requires a change of driving habits, something we're not yet ready for. That's too bad, because some EVs are darn good. Like this 2013 Honda Fit EV. No, it's not available in Canada, and it's easy to figure out why. So far this year, January through October, Honda sold only 300 hybrids (Civic, CR-Z, Insight) while Toyota moved out more than 7,000 copies of the Prius. The recently introduced 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid is also a no-go for Canada, although we will get the "regular" hybrid version. The Fit EV has what it takes to do battle with the 2013 Nissan LEAF. In the US, its range is rated by the EPA at 82 miles (or 131 km), while the LEAF is rated at 75 miles (or 120 km). The Fit is equipped with a 123-hp electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. Thanks to the instant torque peak of an electric powertrain, this EV feels like it accelerates as swiftly as a run-of-the-mill Civic, and has more than enough muscle to zip through urban traffic. The 2013 Honda Fit EV also includes a three-mode drive system, with NORMAL, SPORT and ECON settings. The latter limits output to 63 hp and reduces the climate control system's efficiency in order to achieve maximum driving range. A 6.6-kW charger is on board (same capacity as the 2013 Nissan LEAF) which, according to the manufacturer, allows the car to be fully charged in less than three hours using a 240V outlet. If you're stuck with a regular 120V household outlet, you'll have to wait for about 15 hours to juice up. You can also check manage charging times and remotely activate the A/C or heater from your smartphone by downloading a free app. On the road in the Catskills region of New York, the Fit EV was refined and quiet, and its road manners were comparable to those in a regular, gas-powered Fit, although the car can't hide its 600-lb weight disadvantage. Unlike other EVs such as the BMW i3, the Honda's regenerative braking system isn't tuned very aggressively, so coasting doesn't feel like you've left the parking brake engaged. If that's your preference, though, you can simply push the shift lever into the 'B' position. In short, this car was actually very pleasant to drive. As is the case with most Honda models, your eco-driving efforts are awarded with green instrument pod illumination, and little leaves appear on the trip computer screen, congratulating you on your energy efficiency. In the 2013 Honda Fit EV, you benefit from all the equipment that's available in gas-powered versions, in addition to automatic climate control. That includes navigation (which is offered in the US but not in Canada), a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped wheel, heated front seats, a 160-watt stereo with USB port and Bluetooth connectivity as well as the usual plethora of airbags and electronic driving aids. On the other hand, the Fit EV's cargo capacity drops from 585 to 340 litres with the rear seat in place, and from 1,622 to 1,393 litres with the seatback folded. So, versatility suffers somewhat to accommodate the battery pack, but you can still squeeze more gear in the Fit than in the LEAF. And the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. And the Chevrolet Volt. And the Ford Focus Electric. A Toyota RAV4 EV has more cargo space, but that's another electric vehicle Canada doesn't get. Since we're on the subject, we can't get a Fiat 500e either. Ironic, since our electricity is cheaper and produced more cleanly. Oh well. How much does the 2013 Honda Fit EV cost? We have no idea. You can only lease it for $259 US a month on a three-year agreement, which seems like a good deal. That price also includes maintenance as well as the 240V home charging station, but not its installation. Not getting the Fit EV in Canada is a shame, but not a crying shame. More competition is always better for the consumer, but frankly, only a handful of people are buying electric vehicles right now. Those early adopters have accepted to change their vision of the automobile, and probably feel all warm and fuzzy inside every time they pass by a gas station. As good as the 2013 Honda Fit EV is, and we think it's just as competent as the Nissan LEAF, most consumers just aren't ready for it yet. Editor’s Rating Fuel Consumption 5of5stars No fuel, and decent EV range Value of Price 3.5of5stars Affordable lease payments Styling 3of5stars Typical no-frills Honda styling Comfort 3.5of5stars Good seats, quiet ride Performance 3of5stars As peppy as a normal car Overall 4of5stars A good EV we can't buy [© 2013 Transcontinental Media] 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: Saietta Electric motorbike that 'goes like stink' r:160km EVLN: EVA e-Taxi Aims To Curb Emissions EVLN: Eaton HyperCharger EVSE is scalable from 200kW to 1MW EVLN: Smart42ed China-launch @Guangzhou Motor Show EVLN: £19,250 VW e-up! EV on sale r:160km ts:130kph 0-100kph:12.4s + EVLN: €9k 700 pre-orders for Colibri single-seater EV (video) {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-EVs-are-darn-good-like-2013-Honda-Fit-EV-tp4666663.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)
