CleanMPG Forums - 2013 Fit EVs “Day in the Sun” begins 7-20-2012

California and Oregon residents can lease one for $389/month.

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Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 30, 2012

2013 Honda Fit BEV - $36,625 to start and the nation’s highest all-electric range (AER) BEV rating of 82 miles (Tesla’s S excluded) which is 20 more than the iMiEV, 9 more than the LEAF and 6 more than the Focus Electric.

At the LA Auto Show late last year, the Fit EV was revealed to the public for the very first time with an estimated at the time 76-mile AER and a $399/month lease price. Since that time, the monthly lease expenditure has fallen by $10/month and the AER has increased by 6 miles.

Just yesterday Honda provided a definitive release date for its highly anticipated Fit EV. Beginning on July 20, 2012, residents of CA and OR can take home a Fit EV with a three-year lease prices at $389 per month.

While only available for lease in Oregon and California later next month, Honda stated it is considering expanding availability to six East Coast markets in early 2013 depending on uptake. Honda will monitor market acceptance, but expects volume at this early stage of production to be just 1,100 Fit EV's over the next three years.

In a prepared statement, Steven Center, VP of the American Honda Environmental Business Development Office said the following:

Quote:

"No other automaker is more deeply committed to producing and delivering more energy-efficient and sustainable transportation solutions than Honda and the 2013 Honda Fit EV is the latest example of this commitment."

The Fit EV

Based on the standard Fit and Fit Sport, the Fit BEV features a 20 kWh Li-Ion pack and a compact 123 HP AC motor that generates 189 lb-ft of torque. This efficient powertrain is teamed to a chassis with a fully-independent suspension and a driver-selectable 3-mode drive system. The result should be a great handling BEV with a class-leading EPA combined city/highway estimated driving range rating of 82-miles and utility that cannot be matched by anything in or out of its segment.

Displays

Helping drivers to operate the vehicle more efficiently is new analog and digital instrumentation, which displays the vehicle's energy use, the Li-Ion pack's state of charge (SoC), and estimated remaining driving range. An ECO scoring system lets drivers know how efficiently they're operating the vehicle, and other indicators show the energy used by the climate control system and other electrical systems.

Utility

The Fit's roomy interior provides a high level of versatility thanks to its rear seat bottoms ability to fold upward.

Other features include a manual tilt and telescope steering wheel and 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

Aero Additions

The Fit EV shares its essential design and engineering features with the gasoline-powered Fit and Fit Sport, and has aerodynamic upgrades and unique styling cues that set it apart. Aerodynamic innovations include a revised and more efficient front end, grille area and lower fascia. Along the body sides, the rocker panels now feature aggressive air-control shapes behind the front wheels as well as ahead of the rear wheels. The rear spoiler and lower fascia have been redesigned to further reduce aerodynamic drag.

Ride and Handling

The Fit EV's nimble handling and connected-to-the-road feel starts with its rigid steel unit body, enabling precise handling and body control. The unit-body utilizes 56-percent high-strength steel that maximizes stiffness without adding unnecessary weight.

The MacPherson strut front suspension has been optimized and the standard Fit's H-shaped torsion beam rear end Has Been Replaced With A Rear Multi-Link System.

An electrically power-assisted hydraulic braking system utilizes 11.1-inch ventilated front discs and 8.7-inch rear drums, along with a new electric servo braking system that helps to recharge the Li-Ion battery pack while the vehicle is coasting or braking. Electric Power Steering (EPS) is standard.

The Electric side of the equation

The Fit EV's Li-Ion battery pack is packaged beneath the floor of the vehicle, preserving the Fit's outstanding interior space.

An onboard charger allows the vehicle to be plugged into any Level 1 household outlet or Level 2 240V AC power supply. When connected to a 120V or 240V circuit, the Fit EV battery can be recharged in less than fifteen or three hours from low charge respectively. A 240-volt charging station is available for customer purchase through Leviton.

When connected to an outlet, charging can be started or stopped with an included Fit EV interactive remote control, through an available smartphone application, or through the internet on a personal computer.

An interactive remote control with a range of up to 100 feet can also control charging and operation of the climate control system when the Fit EV is connected to a power supply. To allow charging at the lowest available electricity rates, charge scheduling can be set via the Multi-Information Display (MID) or by an available free Fit EV smartphone app.

Infotainment

The FIT EV is well equipped with a standard six-speaker 160-watt audio system that includes a USB audio interface and Bluetooth HandsFreeLink. In addition, a standard Voice-Activated Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System includes the locations of public EV recharging stations, as well as a graphic depiction of estimated driving range.

Safety

The Fit EVs active safety features include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control (TC), a 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

An strong body structure helps make the vehicle highly effective at absorbing and dispersing the energy of a frontal crash, while daytime running lights (DRL) and a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle further improve safety.

The Lease

The new Fit EV is available exclusively on a 36-month closed-end lease for $389 per month (plus tax, $0 cap cost reduction). This lease payment price includes the cost reduction for the available $7,500 federal EV tax credit. The first month's payment plus tax and license fees are due at lease signing, and the lease allows up to 12,000 miles-per-year. Lease payment includes roadside assistance, routine maintenance and navigation Point of Interest updates. There will be no purchase option at lease end and customers are responsible for insurance.

2013 Fit BEV Basic Specifications

20-kWh Li-Ion battery
92-kW AC synchronous electric motor
MPGe ratings of 132/105/118 mpgUS city/highway/combined
EPA combined city/highway estimated driving range rating of 82-miles
3-mode drive system (Econ, Normal, Sport)
Regenerative braking system
Included 120-volt portable charging cable
240-volt charge capability
Standard Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System
Interactive Remote Control
Available free smartphone app
15-inch alloy wheels
Unique aerodynamic body details
Passenger volume, 89.3 cu-ft.
Cargo volume, rear seat up/down: 12.0/49.4 cu-ft.
Length – 162 in.
Width – 67.7 in.
Height - 62.2 in.
Wheelbase - 98.4 in.

Early Conclusions?

The price of entry may be steep but there are few BEVs let alone B and C-Segment offerings that provide the utility, ride and handling characteristics of the standard Fit. Add a world-class all-electric drivetrain and you would be hard pressed to come up with something better. Than again, the larger LEAF with its $359/month lease deal over 39-months once you break down the fine print appears up front to offer the overall better value for those particularly interested in an all-electric.